early in the story, a winter night
Egor's Lure by Vampires
Egor, a young boy, is returning home late from the swimming pool. He feels an inexplicable pull, a haunting melody that draws him away from the main street into a dark alley. There, a pair of vampires, a young man and woman, await him. The female vampire uses a magical Call to ensnare him, and Egor finds himself unable to resist, walking toward her as she extends her fangs. This event establishes the central threat of the vampire hunt and introduces Egor as a potential Other with latent powers, as he shows unusual resistance to the Call.
the same winter night, shortly after dusk
Anton Wakes and Begins the Hunt
Anton Gorodetsky, a Night Watch agent, wakes in his apartment. He has been preparing for a week to hunt a rogue vampire by consuming pig's blood and drugs to attune himself to their senses. He receives a call from the office and sets out on patrol, riding the metro for hours. His mission is to track down and neutralize a vampire who has been poaching in Moscow, a task given to him as a test of his field capabilities.
later that night, on the metro
Anton Encounters the Black Vortex
While on the metro, Anton senses a powerful black vortex of dark magic hovering above a young woman, Svetlana Nazarova. He recognizes it as a stabilized curse, a death sentence cast by a Dark Magician. Despite his primary mission, he uses his onyx amulet to try to dispel the vortex, but it is too strong and only temporarily destabilizes it. This act drains his amulet's power, a critical mistake that will complicate his vampire hunt. The encounter establishes Svetlana as a key figure and introduces the threat of a catastrophic Inferno eruption.
immediately after the metro encounter
Anton Tracks the Vampire's Call
Anton senses the vampire he is hunting is nearby. He follows the trail through the metro system, eventually identifying a young boy, Egor, as the target of the vampire's Call. He pursues Egor above ground, buying cheap vodka as a weapon. He calls for backup from the Night Watch office, but his instincts are overwhelming him, and he struggles to maintain control of his own vampire-like urges, a side effect of his preparation.
later that night, in a back alley near the Cosmos hotel
Anton Kills the Male Vampire
Anton intercepts the vampires in an alley just as the female vampire is about to bite Egor. He enters the Twilight, a parallel shadow world, and confronts them. The male vampire mistakes him for a fellow Dark One. Anton reveals himself as Night Watch and, when the female vampire attacks, he splashes vodka in her face. He then uses the male vampire's own registration tag to incinerate him, killing him instantly. The female vampire escapes. Egor, terrified, runs away.
the following morning
Anton is Reprimanded by the Boss
Anton reports to Boris Ignatievich, the head of the Night Watch. The boss criticizes his performance, pointing out his mistakes: wasting the amulet on the vortex and failing to capture the female vampire or secure the boy, Egor. However, the boss reveals that the black vortex is far more dangerous than Anton realized, capable of causing a massive catastrophe. He also reveals that Egor possesses immense, undefined magical potential and must be found and recruited to the Light side to maintain the balance of power in Moscow.
later that morning, in Anton's apartment
Anton Receives the Owl Partner Olga
Boris Ignatievich assigns Anton a new partner: a white owl named Olga, who is actually a powerful Light magician trapped in a bird's body as punishment for a past crime. The boss sends Anton home to sleep, and when he wakes, the owl is at his window. Anton is initially bewildered and frustrated by his silent, feathered partner. He tries to communicate with her, explaining his background and his recent struggles with his own dark urges during the vampire hunt.
later that morning, in Anton's apartment
Kostya Visits Anton
Kostya, a young vampire neighbor and friend of Anton, visits to return CDs. He is upset about the death of the male vampire, whom he knew. They argue about the morality of the killing and the nature of vampires. Kostya feels betrayed and accuses Anton of hypocrisy. The tension is broken when the owl, Olga, reacts aggressively to Kostya, frightening him. Kostya leaves, taking donated blood Anton offers, but their relationship is strained.
the following day
Anton and Olga Search for Svetlana
Anton and Olga begin their search for Svetlana Nazarova, the woman cursed with the black vortex. They patrol the city, with Olga now able to speak telepathically. Anton is stopped by Day Watch agents Alisa Donnikova and Pyotr Nesterov for a minor magical intervention. Alisa offers to settle the matter amicably, and Anton agrees to a personal compromise, a decision Olga later warns him was a mistake. The search leads them to the Perovo district, where the Night Watch has concentrated its forces.
that afternoon, in Perovo
Night Watch Briefing in Perovo
Anton arrives at the Night Watch's field headquarters in Perovo, where Boris Ignatievich briefs the assembled agents. The boss reveals that the Day Watch has issued an ultimatum: the unknown Dark Magician who cast the curse must be handed over to them. The Night Watch's goal is to find the magician first and disarm the vortex. Anton is assigned the seemingly less important task of finding the boy, Egor, and the escaped female vampire, a decision that frustrates him.
that evening, in Anton's apartment
Olga Assumes Human Form
Back at Anton's apartment, Olga uses her limited allowance of time to assume her human form for the first time in fifty-five years. She appears as a young woman in dirty WWII-era soldier's clothes. They share cognac, and Olga reveals her tragic past: she was a powerful magician who was punished for a compromise with the Dark Ones and is now hoping to redeem herself through this mission. She convinces Anton to help her, and they agree to work together to find Egor and the vampire.
that evening, at Egor's apartment building
Anton and Olga Find Egor
Anton and Olga track Egor to his apartment. They enter the Twilight and observe him from within. Egor, terrified and remembering the vampire attack, is trying to protect himself with garlic and a silver chain. When he senses their presence, he instinctively enters the Twilight for the first time on his own, a sign of his immense potential. Anton tries to explain who he is and what the Twilight world is, but Egor loses consciousness and begins to slip into a permanent Twilight coma.
immediately following, in Egor's apartment
Anton Rescues Egor from the Twilight
Egor is on the verge of being lost forever in the Twilight. Anton, following Olga's advice, creates a sphere of exclusion and then cuts his own wrist, using his blood to provide the energy needed to pull Egor back into the human world. The boy revives, and Anton bandages his wound. Egor is now more trusting but still deeply disturbed by the revelations about the world of Others and the Treaty that allows licensed vampire hunting.
later that evening, in Egor's apartment
Anton Explains the Treaty to Egor
Anton explains the nature of the Others, the Watches, and the Great Treaty to Egor. He tells the boy that the Night Watch polices the Dark Ones but that licensed vampire attacks are legal. Egor is horrified and feels betrayed, rejecting Anton's help and telling him to leave. Anton realizes he has mishandled the situation and that Egor's potential is now leaning toward the Darkness. He leaves the apartment but remains nearby to protect him.
later that night
Anton is Summoned to Perovo
Boris Ignatievich calls Anton and orders him to come to Perovo immediately, as the situation with the black vortex is escalating. Anton is reluctant to leave Egor unprotected, but the boss insists and sends Tiger Cub and Bear to guard the boy. Anton leaves, feeling uneasy about the sudden change in plans. He is driven to Perovo in a high-speed car by a Duma deputy who has been magically influenced.
that night, in Perovo
Anton Sees the Grown Inferno Vortex
Anton arrives in Perovo and is shocked to see the black vortex has grown into a massive, thirty-meter-high tornado. The Night Watch has set up an operations center in a nearby apartment. The boss explains that Ignat's attempt to seduce Svetlana only made the vortex grow faster. He reveals that Anton is mysteriously linked to Svetlana and is their only hope to neutralize the curse. A Dark Magician, Zabulon, is present as an observer from the Day Watch.
that night, at Svetlana's apartment
Anton Visits Svetlana as a Patient
Following the boss's advice, Anton goes to Svetlana's apartment, posing as a patient with a stomach ulcer. He uses magic to implant false memories of a previous acquaintance. He talks to her sympathetically, and the vortex begins to shrink. Svetlana confesses her guilt over refusing to donate a kidney to her ill mother, revealing the source of the curse. Anton realizes her mother's curse, amplified by her own self-hatred, is the cause of the vortex.
later that night, at Svetlana's apartment
Anton Learns Egor Has Been Taken
While talking to Svetlana, Anton receives a telepathic message from Olga that the female vampire has captured Egor and is holding him hostage on the roof of his apartment building. The vampire is demanding to negotiate with Anton, the agent who killed her partner. Anton is torn between his duty to Svetlana and the need to save the boy. He decides to leave, and the vortex shrinks further as he departs, a puzzling reaction.
later that night, on the roof of Egor's building
Roof Standoff with the Vampire
Anton arrives at the roof where the female vampire is holding Egor hostage. Night Watch operatives Tiger Cub, Bear, Ilya, and Semyon are also present. The vampire demands to live and argues that she is a victim of the system. The standoff escalates when Zabulon, the head of the Day Watch, appears and claims both the vampire and Egor are under his protection. A tense confrontation between the Light and Dark magicians ensues.
during the roof standoff
Egor Escapes into the Deep Twilight
During the standoff, Egor, using his newfound abilities, escapes the vampire's grip by diving deeper into the Twilight. The vampire accidentally wounds herself. This triggers a chaotic battle: Ilya unleashes a powerful white cobra spell against Zabulon, while Tiger Cub fights the Day Watch agents Alisa and Pyotr. Anton follows Egor into the deep Twilight and convinces him to return to the surface, saving him from being lost forever.
immediately after, on the roof
Boris Ignatievich Reveals His Disguise
As the battle reaches its peak, the Night Watch agent Ilya reveals himself to be Boris Ignatievich in disguise. The real Ilya was elsewhere. The boss confronts Zabulon directly, forcing the Dark Magician to withdraw. Zabulon retreats, but before leaving, the witch Alisa uses her right to a minor intervention on Anton, forcing him to speak the truth about the Night Watch's manipulative tactics. This revelation further alienates Egor.
immediately after, on the roof
Anton Confronts the Boss's Manipulation
After Zabulon leaves, Anton realizes the entire complex operation was a maneuver by both Watches to recruit Svetlana. He angrily confronts Boris Ignatievich, accusing him of sacrificing pawns and manipulating everyone for the greater goal. The boss admits the truth but insists it was necessary. Egor, disgusted by both sides, leaves. Anton is left feeling used and disillusioned, but he still has a task to complete: to explain everything to Svetlana.
later that night, at Svetlana's apartment
Anton Returns to Svetlana
Anton returns to Svetlana's apartment and tells her the entire truth about the Others, the Watches, and the curse. He explains that her mother's curse, born of a moment of despair, created the vortex. He offers her a choice: to join the Night Watch and learn to control her powers. Svetlana, overwhelmed but accepting, agrees. The vortex is finally neutralized by Olga, who has been waiting for this moment. Svetlana's initiation into the world of the Others begins.
early spring, early morning
Maxim Kills a Were-panther
Maxim, a seemingly ordinary man, waits in his car outside a building. When a young woman, Galina Rogova, emerges, he confronts her, declaring himself a judge. He stabs her with a wooden dagger, and she transforms into a black panther before dying. The wound vanishes after her transformation. This event introduces Maxim as a self-appointed vigilante who can see and kill Dark Ones, operating outside the knowledge of the Watches.
a spring morning, at the Night Watch office
Night Watch Briefing on the Maverick
Boris Ignatievich calls a full meeting of the Night Watch to address a protest from the Day Watch about a series of unsolved murders of Dark Ones. The killings are the work of a powerful, uninitiated Light magician, dubbed the Maverick. The boss tasks the Watch with finding this rogue agent before the Dark Ones do, to protect and recruit him. Anton and Olga are given a special assignment to investigate the alibis of the four most powerful Watch members, including Anton himself.
later that day, at the Night Watch office
Anton is the Prime Suspect
Anton and his assistant Tolik analyze the dossiers of the four suspects: Boris Ignatievich, Ilya, Semyon, and Anton himself. They discover that Anton is the only one without a solid alibi for the times of the murders. The boss confirms that the Day Watch's trap is likely aimed at Anton, as revenge for his role in the previous winter's events. To protect him, the boss and Olga devise a plan: a body swap between Anton and Olga.
that day, in the boss's office
Anton and Olga Swap Bodies
Boris Ignatievich performs a spell to swap the minds of Anton and Olga. Anton finds himself in Olga's female body, and Olga in his. The boss explains this is to hide Anton from the Day Watch's pursuit. Anton is disoriented but agrees to the plan. He must now navigate the world as a woman, relying on Olga's friends and contacts, while the real Olga, in his body, acts as a decoy.
that day, at the Night Watch training room
Anton (in Olga's Body) Meets Svetlana
Anton, in Olga's body, goes to find Svetlana at the Watch's training facility. He awkwardly tries to explain the situation to her. Svetlana is initially confused and then angry when she realizes it's Anton. They argue about their relationship and the boss's manipulations. Eventually, Svetlana agrees to help Anton by staying with him as a witness, so he is never alone and vulnerable to being framed for another murder.
that evening, at the Maharajah restaurant
Murder at the Maharajah Restaurant
Anton (in Olga's body) and Svetlana go to an Indian restaurant. They notice a Dark Magician dining with his family. When the magician goes to the restroom and doesn't return, Anton investigates and finds him dead, killed in the same manner as the previous victims. Anton is discovered standing over the body, making him the prime suspect. The boss arrives and confirms the situation is catastrophic, as Anton now has no alibi.
immediately after the murder, at the restaurant
Confrontation with the Day Watch
The Day Watch, led by Alisa Donnikova, arrives at the restaurant to arrest Anton. A standoff ensues. Zabulon appears and sees through Anton's disguise, recognizing him in Olga's body. A fight breaks out, and Anton escapes by punching Zabulon and running into the street. Zabulon fires a deadly spell, Shahab's Lash, at Anton, but he is rescued by a passing car driven by Maxim, the very Maverick he is hunting.
later that night, at Novoslobodskaya metro station
Anton and Olga Swap Back
Anton, having escaped, arranges to meet Olga at a metro station to swap bodies back. They perform the ritual, and Anton returns to his own body. He shares his realization that he is being used as bait to provoke Svetlana into a rash action. Olga confirms this, admitting the boss's plan is to accelerate Svetlana's training through crisis. Anton is furious but determined to find his own solution.
later that night, near a metro station
Anton Kills a Young Dark Magician
A young Dark Magician from the Day Watch tracks Anton down. Anton captures him and interrogates him, learning that the Day Watch has orders to kill him, not capture him. In a fit of rage and desperation, Anton executes the magician with his pistol, emptying the clip into him. This is a major transgression for a Light One, and Anton knows he has crossed a line. He then assumes the dead magician's appearance and heads for the Ostankino television tower.
later that night, at the Ostankino television tower
Anton Infiltrates the Day Watch Headquarters
Using the dead magician's appearance, Anton infiltrates the Day Watch's field headquarters at the Ostankino tower's restaurant. He observes the Dark Ones coordinating the hunt for him. He sees Tiger Cub, the Night Watch observer, who subtly signals that the hunt is a sham. Anton realizes the entire operation is a front to provoke Svetlana. He kills the guard magician by forcing him into the deep Twilight and then escaping.
later that night, outside Egor's apartment building
Anton Confronts Maxim
Anton deduces that the Maverick's next target is Egor. He rushes to the boy's apartment building and finds Maxim about to kill him. Anton intervenes, and a tense confrontation ensues. Maxim believes Egor is a Dark One and must be destroyed. Anton tries to explain the Treaty and the Watches, but Maxim is fanatical and refuses to listen. He attacks Anton, stabbing him with the wooden dagger.
during the confrontation
Anton is Stabbed by Maxim
Maxim stabs Anton with the wooden dagger, which is only effective against Dark Ones. For Anton, a Light One, it is a painful but non-fatal wound. As Anton lies wounded, Egor steps between them to protect him. Boris Ignatievich and Svetlana arrive. The boss reveals that Maxim is destined to become an Inquisitor, a judge above both Watches. The crisis is resolved, and Maxim is taken into custody by the Inquisition.
immediately after, at the scene
The Boss Reveals the Operation was His
As Anton recovers, Boris Ignatievich reveals a shocking truth: the entire Maverick crisis was an exclusive Night Watch operation, not a Day Watch plot. Zabulon had nothing to do with it. The boss had orchestrated everything to test Svetlana's self-control and to force her to mature as a sorceress. Anton is stunned and feels deeply betrayed by his mentor.
a hot June day, at Tiger Cub's country house
The Watch's Summer Vacation
Months later, the Night Watch takes a rare vacation at Tiger Cub's country house. The mood is initially festive, but tensions simmer beneath the surface. Anton and Svetlana have a painful argument about the nature of their work and the lack of genuine joy in their lives. Anton learns from Olga that the boss has a secret, long-term plan for Svetlana, involving a mysterious artifact: a piece of chalk.
the same day, in Moscow
Death of the Courier from Samarkand
While the Watch is on vacation, a courier from Samarkand, Alisher Ganiev, arrives in Moscow carrying a powerful artifact. He is ambushed by Day Watch agents Alisa Donnikova and Stasik, who kill him and attempt to steal the artifact, but fail to find it. The courier's death is a significant event, as he was bringing the Chalk of Destiny to Boris Ignatievich for the planned operation.
later that day, at Tiger Cub's house
Anton Learns of the Plan to Change Destiny
Anton, suspicious of the boss's plans, confronts Olga. He pieces together that the Watch is planning to use Svetlana and the Chalk of Destiny to rewrite the destiny of a person, likely Egor, to create a new leader for humanity. Olga confirms the plan, revealing it is a long-prepared operation to change the course of human history. Anton is horrified and decides to return to Moscow to stop it.
that evening, in Anton's apartment
Zabulon Visits Anton
Anton returns to his apartment to find Zabulon waiting for him. The Dark Magician reveals that he knows about the Light's plan and tells Anton the true nature of the Chalk of Destiny. He warns Anton that the operation will fail and cause great harm. Zabulon claims he wants to prevent the plan, not for altruistic reasons, but because it threatens the balance. He leaves Anton with the knowledge, hoping he will act.
later that evening, at the Para Bar
Anton Confronts Gesar
Anton meets Boris Ignatievich (Gesar) at the Para Bar. He confronts him about the plan to use Svetlana and the chalk. Gesar admits the plan is real and that it will happen that very night. He argues that it is necessary for the greater good, to finally give humanity a chance. Anton refuses to accept this and declares himself free of his obligations to his mentor. He leaves, determined to stop the operation.
that night, walking through Moscow
Anton Gathers Power from People
Anton walks through the city, deliberately drawing magical power from the happiness of ordinary people. He knows this is a dangerous and morally questionable act, as it diminishes their joy. He gathers an immense amount of energy, preparing for a final confrontation. He also makes a deal with Zabulon, who grants him the right to a second-level magical intervention in exchange for not reporting Alisa's crime.
that night, on the roof of Egor's building
The Climax on the Roof
Anton arrives at the roof of Egor's building, where Svetlana, Egor, Gesar, Zabulon, and the new Inquisitor Maxim are gathered. Svetlana has the Chalk of Destiny and is about to rewrite Egor's destiny. A hurricane, a side effect of the immense magical power being concentrated, rages around them. Anton is faced with a choice: use his gathered power to stop the storm and save lives, or use it on himself to avoid making a mistake.
during the climax on the roof
Anton Uses Remoralization on Himself
Instead of using his power to stop the hurricane or to force Svetlana's hand, Anton uses the immense magical energy he has gathered to perform a remoralization spell on himself. He purifies his own intentions and clears his mind of doubt and selfishness. This act leaves him powerless but at peace. He tells Svetlana that she must make her own choice, without any influence from him or anyone else.
immediately after, on the roof
Svetlana Erases Egor's Destiny
Faced with the ultimate choice, Svetlana decides not to rewrite Egor's destiny. Instead, she uses the Chalk of Destiny to erase the lines that had been written, leaving his future completely open and undefined. She rejects the role of a Great Sorceress who manipulates fate. Gesar is shocked, but Svetlana declares she does not wish to serve in the Watch. The operation has failed.
immediately after, on the roof
Gesar Reveals His True Motive
As the storm subsides, Gesar reveals the true purpose of the entire elaborate plan. It was not just to change Egor's destiny, but to force the higher powers to fully restore Olga's powers and status, so that she could become his equal and their love could survive. The operation was a gamble to save his relationship with Olga. Anton and Svetlana are stunned by this revelation, realizing the entire conflict was driven by personal love, not just grand strategy.
