Valemorra Academy. A place where the weak lost their lives and the strong prevail. A place where rivalries were formed, alliances built. Secrets hiding behind portraits of the elite.
It's motto " Strength is law; Mercy is death".
This carved the very foundation of Valemorra. It was a battle field. The survival of the fittest, irrespective of status or position. Here, positions were seized,not given. Conspiracies were cloaked in the smile of the powerful.
The gates were high, imposing and majestic,having the crest of the academy. A black obsidian shield,veined with crimson, bearing a silver dragon coiled around a black blade, crowned with blue flames and flanked by two serpents. Beneath it, the motto was written clearly.
Just at the very entrance of the school, stood seven stone pillars. Each of which had the emblem of the seven clans carved in them.
The academy itself was set deep into the forest, almost hidden from sight. It's structure like an old time castle that has stood the test of time. Serenity filled the environment and the only sounds heard were the hushed tones of the students gathered in groups. Others hidden in the shadows, watching, waiting for their next prey to walk into their trap.
The academy indeed lived up to its name. Building the future vampire generation to be stronger and live peacefully amongst themselves. Almost.
But soon enough the peace of the academy was bound to be disrupted.
Tension sparked in the air as soon as the students took notice of the dean.
A tall, lean, muscular man. His silver hair flowing above his shoulders, sculpting his face into full view. His skin was as pale as death, and his eyes. Those unreadable black eyes had seen things centuries back. Erevan Sable.
Students straightened, heads slightly bowed. Murmuring erupting faintly out of curiosity. It was clear to Erevan that the students had noticed how stiff his posture was, or was it the tension in his shoulders?
He wasn't quite sure, but one thing was certain. They knew something big was about to happen to make him leave his office.
As he proceeded to the gates, Damon, the chief guard in the school approached him. His strides, usually powerful and directed, were faint and slowed.
Erevan looked at him, his eyebrow arced up.
" Is there a problem?" he asked.
" When are the heirs supposed to arrive?" Damon asked, his voice hushed.
" I am not sure. Ensure that…"
As the words were still in his mouth, seven black sleek cars drove into the school's ground. The students moved back on awe, creating a pathway.
Erevan's breath caught in his throat, Damon's posture stiffened and a great silence filled the air.
The car lined up behind each other, tire screeches fading instantly. Everyone held their breath impulsively, anxiety taking over their senses. Not until the doors to each car opened. Soren Blackwell came out first. Eyes cold and calculating, his face stoic and calm, and his black long coat tailored to fit him appropriately. Gasps erupted from the female vampires, their eyes sparkling with interest.
Kaelen Vesper was the next to emerge, immediately turning in Soren's direction. A calm, slightly warm smile on his lips. He walked with such grace as if he was dancing to the rhythm of the wind, his hair styled neatly. He extended his hand for a cordial handshake.
" It has been long since I last saw you Soren." he said.
Soren glanced at him, turning his face away immediately.
" I don't expect you to miss me or offer a handshake like we are friends." Soren said blandly.
Kaelen chuckled.
" Even our fathers shake hands…"
"I am Soren, not any of our fathers." Soren cut him, taking a few steps away from him.
The murmurings of the students became louder. Marvelling about how good looking they were and how thick the tension between them was.
Lioran emerged. Steps powerful, filling, controlling. His eyes skimmed through the crowd until they finally landed on Kaelen. The reason behind him being here. He frowned deeply,brows creasing.
Kaelen caught his stare, smiled and waved at him but Lioran just scoffed. Focusing on everything else except him.
Kaelen maintained his smile. It neither faltered nor grew wider. Just enough to show he wasn't here for enemity.
The moment Eryndor stepped out, the murmurs died out. He looked weary of everything, he didn't bother to acknowledge neither Lioran or Kaelen's presence but when he reached Soren, he stopped, stared at him and in the most lowest tone, he said..
" It's good to see you"
Soren nodded in acknowledgement.
"Mmm" he hummed
Eryndor walked past Erevan and the older vampire shivered from the coldness he emitted.
When the fourth car's door opened, the placed seemed to be filled with warmth.
Corin Ashford. He smiled widely, genuinely. His features ever soft despite the coldness of the academy. He walked towards Erevan first, bowing politely.
" It is a pleasure to meet you sir." he said.
Erevan blinked. Once, then twice. It had been decades since someone bowed to him. Not out of fear, but acknowledgement and respect. He smiled, slightly.
" The pleasure is all mine." Erevan said.
Corin smiled again proceeding to meet his fellow "brothers". They all looked at him. Not because they wanted to but because they were drawn to the warmth.
He bowed again, in front of four of them, which was immediately reciprocated.
" I hope my presence won't make anyone uncomfortable." he said.
Lioran scoffed.
" As if I would get uncomfortable with you." he said and Corin smiled.
" It's nice to see you all. It's been quite a while" he said.
He scanned their faces, his eyes stopping on Soren's face. He tilted his head, his smile growing wider.
" You have grown so much Soren." he said gently.
For some reason, Soren felt like a kid in front of his elder brother. Warmth rushed through his veins almost heating up his face. He didn't know if it was the gentleness in Corin's voice or Corin himself. He quickly pushed back the feeling and managed a small smile at Corin.
" I am expected to grow" he pointed out.
Corin chuckled.
" Of course"
He gave a sweep over all of them but his eyes lingered on Soren. Which didn't go unnoticed by all of them. He smiled again, standing almost close to Soren.
Kaelen narrowed his eyes. Was it confusion? Or calculation? No one could point out. But what was obvious was that there was an unsolved bond between the two.
The last two cars opened at the same time. While one was containing chaos, the other was containing emptiness. Raelen and Dorian stepped out. Raelen's eyes sparkled as he stared at Dorian. The air of mystery and coldness that surrounded him
Without hesitation, he dashed towards him. Arms wide open, smile to wide to be considered genuine and then he embraced Dorian. Everyone was stunned, including Dorian himself.
" You look so scary, you could scare a baby vamp." Raelen said, still hugging him.
Dorian frowned. He pushed him, not too much so as not to hurt him but enough to make him stagger back.
Raelen laughed, fingers running through hair.
" Okay,okay. My bad, I pushed too far." he said as he turned to face the rest. He ignored Erevan, his eyes locking on the other heirs.
" Brothers!!! Did any of you miss me?" he asked. His voice loud and piercing.
" Brothers? No one here is your brother." Soren replied, frowning at how loud Raelen was.
" Come on. Don't be so cold towards me, we are brothers whether you like it or not" he said cheerfully. Too cheerfully.
Soren rolled his eyes, turning his face away. Corin smiled at Raelen, Kaelen nodded at him, Lioran barely glanced at him and Eryndor…he stared.
Dorian on the other hand, walked towards Erevan. His hand outstretched, his eyes locking with Erevan never breaking contact and when Erevan took his hand, he blinked, surprised by how firm his grip was. It was as if Dorian was exerting his dominance on him. Erevan couldn't hold the eye contact for long, Dorian stared too deep.
" I will learn without making trouble for you, unless when required." he said.
Erevan nodded in understanding.
Dorian advanced to stand with the rest, but his steps were slowed, measured, precise. He looked at all of them. Lorian,Kaelen, Soren,Corin,Raelen and then Eryndor.
He looked at Eryndor with disinterest.
" So Soren, Kaelen and Eryndor are the ones to watch out for? Father is so pathetic." he thought.
" Are you trying to pick up a fight with me?" Eryndor asked, calm but cold and laced with venom.
" You do not interest me" Dorian simply said, turning away from him. Eryndor nodded, his eyes going blank once again. Unaffected even when he was just belittled.
Erevan intervened before anymore snide comments were thrown.
" Welcome to Valemorra Academy, young heirs." he said, a polite smile on his lips.
" Please follow me"
He began to walk back into the building and behind him seven deadly and distinct characters.
Just like that, the life at Valemorra turned more fascinating.