Both Riven and Luka were on their way back to their dorms after everything with Nyx. You would think their minds were spinning with everything they'd just learned, but Luka seemed lost in thought while Riven was already thinking ahead.
"So… I'm related to some type of king?" Luka wondered. "No, not king. The Nyx guy said his lord—my relative—has the power to go against the king or something. So he must be someone of very high standing. But not all the others are like him… is it because of him? Or did he do something?" Luka shook his head, dismissing the thought. "I guess all I can do now is keep a low profile. Maybe I'm a vampire… or a Lesser Blood. They wouldn't hesitate to kill me. But what's really bothering me…"
"Is that the fact you're not worried about this?" Luka yelled at Riven suddenly.
"Hmm?" The black-haired boy turned casually to his friend.
"We just found out there's another intelligent lifeform in the universe, with its own government and all, and your first word to that is hmm," Luka whispered, frustrated. "And not even thinking about the fact that some of them might try to kill me."
"Okay," Riven shrugged. "Why should I care? It isn't me who's being hunted."
"Why?" Luka stepped closer, ready to grab Riven. He hesitated when Riven backed up slightly.
"Jokes, jokes," Riven chuckled. "There's no need to worry. That guy gave us the solution with the rings and the eye lenses. So why are you so worked up?"
"What if I use a trait that belongs to them? Or the eye lenses fall out, and my red eyes show?"
"Then we'll figure it out together, like we always have," Riven said with a reassuring smile. Luka stopped, realizing logic wasn't exactly his strong point—especially since nothing had happened yet.
"But then what about yourself?" Luka asked, watching Riven as he turned to walk.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean… you're part fairy, and that's most likely what you'll evolve into at level ten. And if you're part… the same as Jordan's?"
"It doesn't matter," Riven said with a sigh, feeling Luka still didn't quite get it. "So what if you're not human, or I'm not human, or Jordan—or maybe even Joey—aren't human. That doesn't change how we treat each other. We're not the same, and we never were. This race thing? It's nothing compared to what we've got going on." He smiled firmly.
Luka thought about it. Finding out you weren't human should have felt huge, but with Riven's logic, there was no arguing.
"So… hey, about the Clinton Games?"
"I'm in," Luka sighed. Riven jumped in excitement. He had expected Luka might refuse, and he would have denied both Harkel and Leo if Luka had, but he couldn't lie—he was genuinely interested.
"Sweet!" Riven yelled as they entered the elevator. "Oh right, we need to plan a feeding schedule. Every time you get hungry." It was obvious to both of them that Riven would have to be Luka's main source of blood. After what happened in the elevator, they couldn't risk starving, or Luka might attack—or worse, get killed.
"We can still use the library," Luka said as they reached their floor and walked out. "No one goes in there, so we should be fine. We're barely separated… not counting what happened in the exam. But something tells me the academy won't let that slide anymore."
"Most definitely," Riven replied. They reached their dorm door, took a deep breath, and entered. They grabbed what seemed to be instant noodles in a cup and started eating.
"There you two are!" Jordan yelled, food still in his mouth. "We've looked all over the city for you. We even found an academy secretary who lost his memory—"
"So… where have you two been?" Joey asked.
"It's nothing, okay?" Luka waved them off. "I've decided I'll join your game." He glanced at Harkel and Leo, who exchanged looks, both still slurping noodles.
"Okay," Harkel said, a bit muffled with food in his mouth. "Let's finish eating first."
"You guys got any extra?" Riven asked, and Leo pointed to a bag.
After a few minutes, everyone finished eating. Harkel finally cleared his throat, ready to start the meeting he had always planned.
"Now, I'm glad all of you have decided to join me and my cause to become the head of my clan. Don't think you'll be unrewarded for this. Each of your families will be rewarded as well, if things go well."
"Orphan," the four Dawn Wallborn said in unison. Harkel stopped, not expecting it. He turned toward a stack of flashcards he had prepared to talk about their families and, frustrated, ripped them all up.
"Ahem," he said, forcing himself to regain focus. "Well, your orphanage will be rewarded, but we need to talk about the rules…"
Nyx stood at attention. The man before him was once again clad in his medieval knight armor, his entire body covered from head to toe. They were inside the castle, yet this part of it was unfamiliar—untouched by anyone within or beyond its walls. This was Rohin's personal domain.
Rohin sat behind his desk, silently reading through Nyx's notes. He had already made it clear—there would be no unnecessary discussion about this matter. Vampires possessed enhanced hearing, and both of them had already gone too far by sneaking behind the king's back with an unauthorized visit to the human world.
Rohin had taken that risk knowing he would survive the consequences. Nyx would not.
Finishing the last page, Rohin flicked his wrist. The papers ignited instantly, burning away until nothing remained.
"My lord, are you—"
"Yes, I am."
Rohin exhaled deeply, but Nyx could tell it was a lie. The air in the room grew heavier, hotter. A burning red aura surrounded Rohin, faint but unmistakable. Then, just as quickly, the temperature returned to normal.
Nyx understood. A decision had been made.
"I have asked much of your family," Rohin said, his voice softer now, "and now I will ask even more."
Nyx remained still, listening.
"In the coming days, the King's Selection will take place."
The King's Selection—an event where one vampire from each sector was chosen and sent into the human world as a spy. Their role was to observe, to ensure humans did nothing that could expose vampire society… or lead to their own destruction.
"The king has finally allowed me to choose someone from my sector," Rohin continued. "As you know, ever since I became a leader, none from here have been sent. Perhaps the king does not trust me… or—"
"Maybe he's hiding something from you," Nyx said quietly.
Even speaking those words felt dangerous. If anyone else had heard them, death would have followed without hesitation.
"Yes," Rohin replied.
Silence lingered for a moment before Rohin's gaze shifted slightly.
"When I took the appearance of Mr. Kent, your report mentioned the boy… Luka."
Nyx had investigated him thoroughly after learning the truth. His parents were dead—but more than that, there was no record of them ever existing. No birthplace, no origin. Luka only appeared in the system because of his orphanage.
It was as if he had been created out of nothing.
Rohin already knew this wasn't a coincidence. The vampire society had erased people before.
"This is why I must call on your family's help once again, Nyx."
Nyx stiffened slightly at hearing his name, but quickly bowed his head, maintaining respect.
"Yes, my lord. I will go to the human world and—"
"I'm sorry, but not you," Rohin interrupted.
Nyx paused.
"According to your report, that encounter only happened because the boy was searching for him," Rohin said, stopping himself briefly. Even now, he couldn't bring himself to say the word.
Fairy.
"If you had gone alone, you wouldn't have found him… nor given him the ring. This is the issue with age and physical structure. You would have to pose as a scientist again, or take on another identity. Either way, you wouldn't be able to stay close to him."
Nyx straightened slightly.
"I understand, sir."
"You do?" Rohin asked, studying him.
"Yes," Nyx replied. "I'll have my daughter ready to meet with you in an hour."
He turned, already moving toward the door.
"Nyx."
Rohin stopped him, placing a hand on his shoulder—gentler than expected, filled with quiet gratitude.
"Thank you. I owe you a great deal."
"No, my lord… we owe you."
Nyx began to walk again, but Rohin's voice came once more, quieter this time.
"No, Nyx. I truly mean this. You're risking your family for my home, and I am grateful. Anything—and I mean anything—you need, I will have it brought to you."
Before Nyx could respond, Rohin stepped forward and dropped to one knee.
The motion was sudden. Heavy.
Nyx froze.
"Rise, my lord," Nyx said quickly, almost pleading as Rohin stood back up. "This is nothing. We stand on neutral ground. Neither of us owes anything to the other."
Rohin looked at him for a moment… then smiled.
"Like friends."
That single word caught Nyx off guard.
Friends. With Lord Rohin.
No other sector leader could claim such a bond.
Nyx bowed one final time before turning away.
As he walked out, a thought settled firmly in his mind.
Thanks to you, my eyes are finally open to what our king truly is.
Nyx smiled beneath his helmet as he continued forward, his steps steady, his certainty unshaken.