[ Valen's POV ]
Alex and I trudged toward class. First day at Nevermore.
Last night had been chaotic, the dare, the graveyard, the damn Skull Tree and the girls.
We'd barely returned and the photo spread like wildfire. Apparently, it had been years since freshmen pulled that stunt on their first night.
The entire dorm practically threw a party for us. Loud cheers, clapping on the back, like we'd done something heroic instead of just nearly dying in a grave pit.
And of course Alex had uploaded the photo. I told him to wait, at least let the dust settle, but no. His trigger finger couldn't resist posting it at 3 a.m. Now it was everywhere. Viral. Trending. Every vampire, werewolf, siren, and outcast with a phone had seen it.
Which meant, yes, we'd probably be summoned to the principal's office before lunch. First day. Hell of a record.
When I'd tried to scold Alex about it earlier, he'd just laughed, "Relax, bro. Memories."
Memories, my ass.
We passed through the wrought-iron gates. The carved word Nevermore loomed above, letters blackened with age. Alex looked like he was strutting into a concert, basking in the whispers that followed us. Heads turned.
I glanced sideways. Alex was grinning like a creep, soaking in the attention.
Smack!
"OW! What the hell, man?"
"Don't know," I muttered. "Just felt like it."
"You mother-"
But we'd reached the classroom door.
And Lo and behold who do I find...
Standing inside was Bianca Barclay.
I slipped into an empty seat. Alex followed like my shadow. Moments later, the sirens came in a glittering little formation, Bianca at the head.
"Well, hello cousin," she said. Her voice was sweet poison, that subtle hiss underlining the word cousin.
So fate had jokes. First class of the year and already, she was here.
"Hey, Bianca." I leaned back in my chair, smirking.
Alex blinked at me, realization dawning. Then his face lit up with pure, chaotic energy. He elbowed me. "Wait, this baldie is that bitch cousin of yours?"
A ripple of laughter spread through the room. Bianca froze, her face turning crimson. Sirens glared, hissing under their breaths.
She opened her mouth, fury burning, but the teacher walked in. Saved by the bell.
Classes dragged. Math. Endless equations.
Bianca stormed out the second class ended, practically radiating murder. She'd definitely cook up some petty revenge. Shit.
Alex and I drifted to the Quad, grabbing lunch. The place was buzzing, cliques already forming. Fangs with fangs, fur with fur, scales with scales. Sirens lounged like models, werewolves scarfed down food in packs, gorgons played cards in the corner.
(Quad Image)
The whispers about us hadn't stopped. I caught fragments. "Those are the guys from the photo-""Aren't they the Eidolon brothers?"
I sighed, sat on an empty bench, and tore into my bun. Alex was already grinning at the attention, practically waving at anyone who looked his way.
We'd barely touched our food before a shadow fell across the table.
Five of them. Built like brick walls, their heads nearly scraping the sky. Giants, or something close enough to it. Their shoulders alone made the bench groan when they leaned in.
The leader, a thick-necked guy with hands like shovels, planted his boot on our table. My drink tipped over, soaking the bread.
"Hey, first years," he said, voice like gravel. "This is our bench. Scram."
Alex raised his eyebrows at me. A look that I definitely knew what it meant.
I held his gaze for a second, then sighed. Not the best way to start the year.
Raising fists on the first day wasn't exactly the best move.
"Look," I said, keeping my voice level. "We're almost done, yeah? And there's space. Just sit down. Maybe even make friends?"
The leader blinked. For half a second, I thought he might actually listen. Then his fist came swinging at my face.
Fuck it, then.
Alex's knuckles shot out, colliding with his hand mid-swing. A sickening crack echoed, followed by the guy's howl.
"AAAAAHHHHH!" He clutched his mangled fingers, face twisting in pain.
Another giant roared and lunged at me. His fist came fast, but my hand was faster. I caught his wrist, twisting until his knees buckled. His breath reeked like raw onions.
"We shouldn't waste food, you know," I told him flatly. My half-eaten bun was still in my other hand. "But I lost my appetite."
I shoved it straight into his mouth, crumbs scattering down his chin. Then I slapped him. Hard. The sound cracked through the cafeteria like a gunshot.
Gasps rose from every direction. Tables scraped. Phones shot up, red recording lights winking at us like fireflies.
Another giant tried to circle behind me, but Alex spun, planting his boot in the guy's stomach. The giant doubled over, spittle flying. Alex grinned like a psychopath.
"C'mon, big boys," he taunted. "That all you've got?"
The crowd was buzzing now. Some cheered, others whispered.
The giants hesitated. Then, realizing half the grounds was filming, they backed down. The leader grabbed his moaning friends, dragging them away like fallen comrades. Their boots stomped out of rhythm, retreating into the hall.
I dusted crumbs off my jacket. Alex flexed his knuckles, satisfied.
And everywhere around us, the glow of phones burned bright.
Fantastic. Viral again.
Across the room, Bianca stood in the shadows, gnawing her nail down to the quick. Her eyes locked on me with venom.
Yeah, I thought, watching her. Baldie had a hand in this.
Half an hour later, Alex and I were marching toward Principal Weems' office. Record speed for day one.
The giant guys were with us too. And they looked apologetic.
"Sorry, man," one muttered. "I don't even know why I swung at you. It was… weird. Like I hated you for no reason, then it just vanished."
His friends nodded along, rubbing their bruised knuckles.
Not their fault, then. Bianca's song. Obvious.
Still, someone had to take the fall.
We entered the office.
Principal Weems' office was… imposing. Dark wood shelves crammed with books, tall arched windows letting in pale light, portraits of dead headmasters glaring down at us. The air smelled faintly of lavender and dust.
Behind her desk sat Larissa Weems.
That's Brienne of Tarth. Tall, sharp, and elegant.
(Image)
She rose from her chair. "Jake," she said sharply. The leader of the giants flinched. "I am very disappointed. To think your group would assault two freshers…"
Her lecture lasted thirty minutes. By the end, Jake and his group looked like they'd been dragged through a moral guillotine. Their punishment decided as service duties.
As they left, we too got up, but Weems' eyes slid to me and Alex. "Not so fast, Mr. Valen. Mr. Alex."
Of course.
The giants gave us quick pats on the shoulder, muttering apologies, then vanished.
Weems steepled her hands, eyes narrowing. "Do you know why I've kept you here?"
I sighed. "This about last night?"
Better to get ahead of it. If she hadn't seen the photo yet, she would. Internet worked fast.
"Yes and no." Her tone was crisp. "I saw your little escapade, but I'll let you off with a warning. But don't assume you'll get one next time."
We both nodded.
"Then what's this about?" Alex asked, arms crossed.
Her gaze sharpened. "You are the last Eidolons of this generation. Your fathers and their companions studied here as well. I was their classmate. And if there is one thing I learned… Eidolons attract trouble. Always."
Well no argument there.
"This school is full of adolescents navigating their abilities," she continued. "Trouble will arise and that is my responsibility to contain. But there will be moments when you think its better not to involve staff... but when those moments turn dangerous, I expect you to come to me. Promise me that."
We nodded again.
Her voice softened slightly. "Good. You're dismissed."
Alex and I stepped out, the door shutting behind us.
Inside, Weems remained frozen for a moment, staring at her desk. Her fingers brushed a photograph in a silver frame.
Seven faces smiled out, her, Morticia, Sarenya, others. Young, bright, untouched by time.
Memories clouded her face. She whispered to herself, "Two Eidolons… I just pray things remain calm."
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A/N – Fucking hell, y'all actually did it… in one night! We hit the milestone already, so here's the bonus chapter. I was gonna drop this at the usual time, but you maniacs cleared it in just hours, so hey, I gotta keep my end of the deal, right?
Also… WE'RE IN TOP 3 of the weekly rankings!! Damn. Can we please stay there?? Every time I check the rankings, I get a dopamine overdose that powers me through writing like crazy. So yeah, SEND THOSE STONES!
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Author yapping – Just finished Season 2 and honestly? Part 2 > Part 1. And damn… they butchered Enid's character. Maybe it's just me (and a few others like @ArtoriaPendragon_ and @Vaan_Winters who pointed out the Bruno mess), but Ajax really deserved better.
Also, while rewatching s1, I had a little "enlightenment" moment, so expect some fresh plotlines, new twists in Jericho and Nevermore, and yeah… maybe some deaths too. Hehehe.
That said, please have mercy with bonus requests, these next arcs are gonna be intense to write.
Thanks for reading, and seriously… gimme your POWERstones! gotta snap Bruno