Chapter 2 - The Arrival of the Chimera

🏛️ Council of Velmora — The Decision. 

Deep beneath the radiant city of Velmora, the Council's chamber gleamed with ancient sigils and floating starlight. Thirteen figures sat in a circle, their presence alone warping the air.

At the head stood Elandor Veyne, Headmaster of Velmora High — tall, silver-eyed, and calm, though tension hummed beneath his stillness.

"You're all frightened of a child," said Lucien Draev, the vampire lord, leaning back lazily in his chair. "Half your age and twice your power."

The werewolf general's claws scraped the marble table.

"A child? He's a Chimera, Draev — six bloodlines in one body. Vampire. Werewolf. Witch. Phoenix. Banshee. Dragon. That's not a boy — that's an apocalypse."

A ripple of unease moved through the chamber.

The phoenix matriarch spoke, her feathers dimmed with worry.

"The prophecy warned us — when the seals weaken, the Forbidden One will rise. A creature of all things, neither light nor dark. If we reject him, we may awaken something worse."

Lucien's smile widened, sharp and cold.

"Then we train him. Contain him. Perhaps even use him."

Elandor's eyes flashed.

"You would weaponize a child?"

Lucien shrugged. "Better under our roof than unleashed in the wild. Don't you agree, Headmaster?"

The room fell silent.

Elandor finally exhaled, slow and deliberate.

"Very well. He will come to Velmora High. He will learn control. And if he cannot—"

His gaze hardened, a flicker of old power rippling through his voice.

"—then I will end what should never have begun."

The crystal seal flared bright, marking the decision.

And far above the chamber, a black carriage began its journey through the mist.

🌫️ The Carriage Through the Mist

The morning mist curled like silver smoke around the gates of Velmora High. Students hurried across marble walkways, their chatter echoing beneath the crystal towers. Twin suns shimmered above, scattering rainbows across the cobblestones.

It looked like any other morning—

Until the air changed.

A low hum rippled through the ground. Birds stilled. The wind held its breath.

Then, through the veil of fog, a carriage of black glass and bone rolled toward the academy. The creatures pulling it flickered between shadow and flame, their hooves leaving trails of smoke in their wake. The air bent around them, distorting like heat over fire.

When the carriage stopped, silence fell.

The door opened—

And Derek Stone stepped out.

Tall. Composed. Dangerous.

Every movement radiated quiet control, every breath humming with restrained magic. His uniform clung perfectly, reshaping itself to his body as though obeying his will.

Silver hair glinted like a blade in sunlight. His eyes—gold, edged with violet and crimson—burned like the heart of a dying star.

A vampire girl near the gate whispered, "He's not human."

A werewolf muttered, "He smells like everything and nothing."

A witch clutched her charm. "Stay away from him. He's cursed."

Derek ignored them all. He had been feared before. He had been hated before. But never had the air itself felt this heavy.

🌙 The Boy Who Dreamed

High above the courtyard, Kevin Stone leaned against a railing, watching the commotion below.

At first, he thought it was just another noble transfer. Velmora High had many. But when Derek stepped out—

Kevin's pulse faltered.

Silver hair. Molten eyes. The same face from his dream.

The same voice that had whispered: You failed me.

His pendant flared warm against his chest, pulsing like a heartbeat.

This time, don't forget.

The words echoed in his mind.

"Kevin?"

He turned. Nia Vale, a half-elf witch with floating books at her shoulder, was giving him a look.

 "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Kevin swallowed. "Yeah. Maybe I have."

Nia followed his gaze—then gasped.

"Oh no. Don't tell me that's him." "Him who?"

 "The new transfer. The Council sent him under protection. No species mark, no record. Just—power."

 Kevin frowned. "Weird." "Very weird." Nia smirked. "And you're staring a lot, Mr. Normal."

 Kevin flushed. "He just looks familiar."

Nia arched a brow. "Familiar? You've met that before?" He didn't answer. Because he wasn't sure if it was a dream or a memory.

⚡ The Courtyard Encounter

 Down below, Derek met the Headmaster's gaze.

 "Welcome to Velmora High, Mr. Stone," Elandor said smoothly. "You'll be placed in Class 3-A. I trust you'll find it… enlightening."

 Derek inclined his head. "I'm not here to socialize. I'm here to learn control."

The words vibrated through the courtyard. The mist swirled once more before dissolving leaving behind only uneasy silence.

 And in that silence, Derek's eyes met Kevin's. The world tilted. Sound fell away.For a single breath, time seemed to stop — and Kevin saw something impossible.

 Behind Derek, wings of molten gold and scales of obsidian shimmered like mirages. Then they vanished. Derek's lips quirked. "You're staring." Kevin blinked. "You just walked out of a bone carriage surrounded by fog. Everyone's staring."

 "Not everyone's looking the way you are," Derek replied, voice smooth as silk.

Kevin stammered, "I—Excuse me?"

Derek leaned closer, his tone teasing. "Relax. I'm not going to bite." A pause. "Unless you want me to."

 Kevin's face went red. "What—!?"

The bell rang, shattering the tension.

Derek brushed past him, leaving the faint scent of smoke and cold air in his wake.

Kevin's heart wouldn't stop racing.

🕯️ The Headmaster's Office

 That afternoon, Kevin stood outside the Headmaster's door, fidgeting. He'd been called in — and he already had a sinking feeling why. He knocked. "Headmaster Veyne? You wanted to see me?". "Enter."

 Sunlight filtered through tall windows, illuminating shelves of ancient tomes. Elandor sat behind his desk — and beside him, lounging casually, was Derek Stone. Kevin froze. "Oh. Him again."

Derek smiled lazily. "Missed me already?"

Kevin glared. "Barely met you."

Elandor cleared his throat, tone calm but firm.

 "Mr. Stone Kevin you're one of our top students. I'm assigning you as Derek's mentor. You'll guide him through the academy, help him adjust, and ensure… balance." Kevin blinked. "You want me to give him a tour?"

 Derek leaned forward, chin in hand, smirk growing. "Seems fate has a sense of humor." Elandor ignored the remark. "I trust you can handle this?". Kevin sighed. "Yes, Headmaster." "Excellent. Classes resume tomorrow. Dismissed."

 As Kevin turned to leave, Derek followed close enough that his words brushed Kevin's ear. "Try to keep up, tutor," he murmured. "I tend to wander." Kevin shot him a sidelong glare. "Try not to set the school on fire."

 Derek chuckled softly, voice low and dangerous. "Then don't tempt me, Kevin Stone." The door closed behind them with a quiet click.

 And somewhere deep within Velmora, ancient magic stirred—

Whispering through the halls, through their blood, through time itself:

The past remembers.