*Third Person POV**
Three years had passed since that first meeting at the birthday banquet, and those years had transformed Raven's world completely.
Whenever Principal Rai Zeus had business at the Descartes Estate—which happened with surprising frequency given the family's prominence and the Academy's need to maintain relationships with influential houses—she brought Raven along. What had started as occasional visits had evolved into a regular pattern, each trip filling Raven with anticipation that made the days between visits feel endless.
At the estate, she'd found something she'd never thought possible: genuine friendship.
Riyan remained her closest friend, the first person who'd looked past her demon heritage and seen *her*. But the circle had expanded. Livia, Riyan's twin sister, had welcomed Raven with the same open warmth her brother possessed. Syra, the adopted daughter who carried her own complicated history, had bonded with Raven over shared experiences of being different. And Fera Starlight, despite her family's prestigious status, had proven herself kind and accepting.
Together, they formed a tight-knit group that felt like the family Raven had never known she needed.
The discrimination hadn't disappeared, of course. Outside the Descartes Estate's protective walls, people still whispered. Still stared. Still judged her solely by her bloodline rather than her character. But within that small circle of friends, none of that mattered. When she was with them, she could simply be Raven—not a demon's descendant, not a monster, just a ten-year-old girl playing with her friends.
Those moments had become precious beyond measure.
---
Raven woke that morning with an unusual surge of energy. She'd been pestering her mother for weeks—*weeks*—to arrange another visit to the Descartes Estate, and finally, *finally*, Principal Rai had relented.
"We're leaving in an hour," her mother had said at breakfast, barely looking up from the stack of Academy documents that seemed to multiply overnight. "Try not to drive the Descartes family staff too crazy this time."
"I won't!" Raven had promised, already mentally planning what games they'd play, what new things she could show Riyan and the others.
At ten years old, Raven had grown into her features somewhat. The golden eyes that marked her demon heritage had lost some of their unsettling intensity, softened by the confidence that came from having real friends. Her grayish-white hair, which her mother insisted on keeping long despite Raven's protests, was pulled back in a practical braid. She'd dressed in her favorite outfit—comfortable clothes that wouldn't restrict movement during whatever adventures the day held.
The carriage ride to the estate had felt interminable, despite her mother's attempts at conversation. Raven had pressed her face against the window, watching the landscape roll by and mentally urging the horses to move faster.
When they finally arrived and her mother departed to conduct business with the Descartes family leadership, Raven had practically sprinted to find her friends.
She'd found them gathered in the estate's expansive gardens—Riyan practicing with a wooden training spear under a tree, Livia reading nearby, and Fera sketching something in a notebook. The moment they'd spotted her, their faces had lit up with matching grins.
"Raven!" Riyan had dropped his spear immediately and run over. "You made it! We were starting to think you weren't coming today."
"Like I'd miss a chance to visit," Raven had replied, unable to keep the happiness from her voice. "What are we doing today?"
What followed had been exactly the kind of day Raven had hoped for. They'd played elaborate games that ranged from tag to more creative adventures involving imaginary quests and monsters to defeat. They'd explored parts of the estate Raven hadn't seen before, climbing trees and discovering hidden alcoves in the gardens.
The afternoon had flown by in a blur of laughter and companionship, the kind that made Raven's chest feel warm and full.
As the sun began its descent toward the horizon, they'd decided on one more game—hide and seek. A classic, but with the Descartes Estate's extensive grounds, it never got old. There were always new hiding spots to discover, new strategies to employ.
Raven had been designated the seeker first, counting dutifully with her eyes covered while the others scattered to find hiding places. She'd just finished counting and was about to begin her search when a snippet of conversation from nearby servants caught her attention.
"—Starza Festival tonight—"
"—the whole town will be there—"
"—such a shame the children can't attend—"
Raven's ears had perked up immediately. Festival? What festival?
She'd approached the servants cautiously, her natural shyness around adults she didn't know well making her hesitant. "Excuse me," she'd said quietly. "What festival were you talking about?"
The servants had looked surprised to be addressed by the Principal's daughter, but had explained readily enough. The Starza Festival was an annual celebration in the nearby town—music, games, food stalls, performances. It was one of the biggest events of the year, drawing people from all over the region.
And it was happening *tonight*.
By the time the servants had finished explaining, Raven's mind had been racing with possibilities. A real festival! She'd never been to one before—her mother was always too busy, and going alone was out of the question. But with her friends, maybe...
The thought had barely formed before reality crashed down on it. Her mother would never allow it. Principal Rai was protective under normal circumstances, and the idea of letting Raven wander around a crowded festival without supervision? Impossible.
Raven's excitement had deflated like a punctured balloon, her expression falling into disappointed resignation.
"Hey." Riyan's voice had come from behind her, and she'd turned to find him watching her with concern in those distinctive red eyes. He'd apparently given up on hide and seek when she'd gotten distracted. "What's wrong? You look sad."
For a moment, Raven had considered brushing it off. But Riyan had this way of looking at people—really *looking*—that made lying feel pointless. "The servants were talking about a festival," she'd admitted. "In town tonight. It sounds... amazing. But my mother would never let me go."
She'd expected sympathy, maybe commiseration. What she'd gotten instead was Riyan's face lighting up with sudden inspiration.
"Maybe she would if it wasn't just you," he'd said, grinning. "What if we all went together? With guards, obviously. My father's pretty strict about safety, but if we have proper protection..."
Hope had flickered in Raven's chest, fragile but growing. "You think it could work?"
"Only one way to find out." Riyan had grabbed her hand without hesitation—a casual gesture that he probably didn't think twice about but that still made Raven's heart do strange things. "Come on, let's get Livia and Fera. We'll need everyone to help convince my dad."
They'd tracked down the other girls quickly, explaining the situation in rushed, excited words. Livia had been immediately enthusiastic, already planning what games they'd play at the festival. Fera had been more cautious—her family's expectations made her naturally wary of anything that could be seen as improper—but Raven had seen the longing in her eyes. She wanted to go too.
The hard part would be convincing Cris Descartes.
Riyan's father was... intimidating. Even more so than Raven's mother in some ways, despite having less obvious power. Where Principal Rai commanded through reputation and demonstrated strength, Cris Descartes had a cold, analytical presence that made people careful around him. His expressions rarely shifted from neutral assessment, and his voice carried weight that made even casual statements feel like judgments.
Raven had only interacted with him a handful of times, and each encounter had left her feeling like she was being measured and found wanting.
But Riyan seemed unconcerned as he led their small group through the manor's corridors toward his father's study. "Don't worry," he'd said when Raven had expressed nervousness. "He's not as scary as he looks. Well, okay, he *is* that scary, but he's fair. If we present it right, he might actually say yes."
The study door had loomed large and imposing. Riyan had knocked with confidence Raven couldn't imagine mustering, and a moment later, Cris Descartes's voice had called, "Enter."
The study was exactly what Raven had expected—elegant but austere, with bookshelves lining the walls and a massive desk dominating the center. Behind that desk sat Cris Descartes, his expression as cold and unreadable as ever.
All four children had filed in, and Raven had instinctively positioned herself slightly behind Riyan, using him as a buffer against that intimidating stare.
"Father," Riyan had begun, his voice steady despite the intensity of his father's gaze. "We have a request."
What followed had been the most nervously hopeful minutes of Raven's young life. Riyan had explained about the Starza Festival with surprising eloquence, emphasizing that they'd take proper guards, stay together as a group, and return before it got too late. Livia had added assurances about their responsibility, and even Fera—usually so shy around authority figures—had contributed a few words about how meaningful the experience would be.
Raven had remained silent, too intimidated to speak but desperately hoping.
Cris Descartes had listened without interrupting, his expression never changing from that neutral assessment. When they'd finished, silence had stretched for what felt like an eternity.
Then, finally: "Very well."
Four heads had snapped up in shock.
"You may attend the festival," Cris had continued, his tone suggesting this was a calculated decision rather than indulgence. "Two guards will accompany you at all times. You will stay together. You will return no later than two hours after sunset. If any of these conditions are violated, there will be consequences. Am I understood?"
"Yes sir!" The chorus had been immediate and enthusiastic.
As they'd filed out of the study, barely containing their excitement, Raven had glanced back once. Cris Descartes had already returned to his paperwork, his expression as cold as ever.
*Why is he always like that?* she'd wondered, not for the first time. Riyan clearly loved his father, and from what she'd observed, Cris cared deeply for his children. But that warmth was buried so deep beneath layers of cold professionalism that it was almost invisible.
Still, he'd said yes. That was what mattered.
---
The Descartes family vehicle was luxurious even by noble standards—spacious enough to accommodate all four children comfortably, with plush seating and windows that provided perfect views of the passing landscape. Two guards accompanied them as promised, serious-faced men whose presence made the adventure feel both safer and more exciting.
The two-hour journey to the town passed in a blur of excited chatter. They'd planned what to see first, what foods to try, what games to play. Raven had found herself caught up in the enthusiasm, her earlier nervousness transforming into pure anticipation.
When they finally arrived and the vehicle door opened, the festival's energy had hit them like a physical force.
The town square had been completely transformed. Colorful banners and lanterns hung everywhere, creating a canopy of light and color that made the whole area feel magical. Stalls lined every available space, selling everything from exotic foods to handcrafted trinkets to games of skill and chance. Music drifted through the air from multiple sources—a band playing near the central fountain, a street performer with a guitar on one corner, the general cacophony of hundreds of conversations blending together.
The crowd was enormous, people of all ages and backgrounds mingling together in celebration. The sheer number of bodies packed into the space was overwhelming for Raven, who'd spent most of her life carefully avoiding crowds due to the hostile reactions they usually triggered.
But tonight was different. Tonight, she was just one face among hundreds, anonymous in the crowd. And she was with her friends, which made everything feel safe.
They'd dove into the festival with enthusiasm, the guards following at a discreet distance. First came the food—skewered meats that sizzled on portable grills, sweet pastries that melted on the tongue, exotic fruits Raven had never seen before. They'd tried everything that caught their interest, sharing bites and comparing favorites.
Then came the games. Ring toss, where Riyan had proven surprisingly terrible despite his combat training. Dart throwing, where Fera had shocked everyone by hitting the bullseye three times in a row. A strength test with a hammer, where even with Livia putting all her ten-year-old strength into it, the bell had barely rung.
They'd watched street performers—a juggler who kept six flaming torches in the air, a magician whose illusions had made Raven gasp despite knowing they were tricks, a dancer whose movements seemed to defy physics.
Time had flown by in a haze of wonder and joy. This was what childhood was supposed to be like, Raven had thought. Not isolation and fear, but laughter and friendship and experiences that made your chest feel too full to contain all the happiness.
As evening deepened toward night, Livia and Fera had announced they needed to use the washroom. One of the guards had volunteered to accompany them, and they'd disappeared into the crowd toward the public facilities near the edge of the festival grounds.
That left Raven, Riyan, and the remaining guard standing near a food stall, idly munching on candied apples while they waited.
"This was the best idea ever," Riyan had said, grinning at Raven with genuine happiness. "I'm glad you wanted to come."
Raven had felt her cheeks warm slightly. At ten years old, she was mature enough to recognize that her feelings for Riyan were becoming... complicated. Not quite romantic yet—she was still too young to fully understand those emotions—but definitely more intense than simple friendship. He made her feel things that none of her other friends did. Made her heart race in ways she couldn't quite explain.
"Me too," she'd managed, hoping the dim lighting hid her blush.
The remaining guard had been scanning the crowd with professional vigilance, one hand resting casually on the weapon at his belt. Everything had seemed normal, safe, just another moment in a perfect evening.
Neither Raven nor Riyan had noticed the two figures moving through the crowd with too much purpose. Moving with the practiced efficiency of people who knew exactly where they were going and what they were doing.
Moving toward them.
The shadowy figures had maintained careful distance, blending into the festival crowd with practiced ease. Their faces were obscured by hoods despite the warm evening, and their movements carried a predatory quality that would have raised alarms in anyone trained to notice such things.
But children at a festival, full of sugar and excitement and the joy of new experiences, weren't trained to notice threats.
And the guard, though vigilant, was watching for obvious dangers—pickpockets, drunks, the usual festival problems. Not for the calculated approach of professionals.
The figures belonged to an organization whose name was whispered with fear across the continent: Nexus.
Nexus wasn't just a criminal group or a terrorist organization, though they were certainly both. They were something worse—fanatics dedicated to a goal so twisted that even other villainous groups considered them insane.
Their objective: to create Artificial Devils. Synthetic beings designed to replace the original vessels of demonic power, controllable weapons that would serve the organization's dark agenda without the unpredictability of true demons.
The process required... materials. Specific bloodlines. Rare genetic combinations that could serve as foundations for their experiments.
And they'd been watching the Descartes Estate for weeks, gathering intelligence, waiting for an opportunity.
A demon-blooded child. The daughter of one of the continent's most powerful figures. Outside the estate's protections. In a crowded festival where a brief distraction could create the opening they needed.
The opportunity was too perfect to pass up.
As Raven and Riyan continued their innocent conversation, completely unaware of the danger, the Nexus operatives moved closer.
Closer.
Waiting for their moment.
---
**Author's Note:**
Thank you for reading Part II of Raven's Childhood Arc! We're building toward the incident that will fundamentally change Raven's relationship with Riyan, transforming childhood friendship into something far more intense.
**Important Question for Readers:** How should traumatic experiences be portrayed in character backstories? Should they be shown explicitly (with appropriate content warnings) or implied through character reactions and aftermath? This is a crucial scene coming up, and I want to handle it thoughtfully. Your input will directly influence how I write the next chapter.
**This Week's Poll:** What aspect of this chapter resonated most with you?
A) The development of Raven's friendships and found family
B) The contrast between her life with friends vs. discrimination from others
C) The festival scenes and the joy of childhood experiences
D) The growing tension and foreshadowing of danger
Vote in the comments!
**Character Development Question:** Raven is portrayed as more mature than Riyan despite being the same age. Do you think this maturity difference feels realistic given her experiences with discrimination forcing her to grow up faster? Should I emphasize this dynamic more?
**Next Chapter Preview:** "Nexus [Part 2]" - The attack happens, and we'll see how a single traumatic event can reshape a person's entire worldview and relationships. This will be the turning point that explains Raven's later obsession.
**Reminder:** If you're enjoying the story, please leave a review and rating! And check out my other work "Villain: The White Washer" for a different take on similar themes.
**Weekly Q&A:** Questions about the world-building (like what exactly Nexus is trying to accomplish or how the Inter-Racial Pact affects daily life)? Drop them in the comments and I'll answer what won't spoil future developments!
See you in the next chapter, where things get intense.
*- Your Author*