Streets of Ravetham

Ennuy’s heart pounded in his chest as he stood face-to-face with none other than Kaelen Valrath, the President of the United States. Kaelen’s reputation was legendary, and standing before him felt like facing a living myth. His violet eyes glowed faintly, a symbol of the immense power he held. The mansion’s dim lighting only made him appear more ethereal, his white hair gleaming like starlight.

Beside Kaelen, Nosferatu's fledglings stood silent, their presence adding to the already thick tension. Kaelen’s gaze swept across Ennuy and his team—Ragdoll, Frostie, Payback, and Charm—measuring them up with a level of scrutiny that made the air feel dense. Each of them, only ten years old, stood a little straighter under the weight of his stare, sensing how pivotal this moment was.

After what felt like an eternity, Kaelen finally spoke, his voice cutting through the tension. “Nosferatu,” he commanded, “enroll Ennuy and his team at Rave U. They’re wasted here. My daughters are in the same classes. I’m sure they’ll get along just fine.” He gave a small, knowing smile, his tone suggesting that nothing at Rave U was ever that simple.

Ennuy’s eyes widened in surprise. Rave U wasn’t just any school—it was a prestigious university in Ravetham, known for catering to vampires, metahumans, and other elites. Its technological advancements were unparalleled, blending state-of-the-art tech with supernatural prowess. He couldn’t believe it—he and his team were about to attend the legendary Rave U.

Glancing at his teammates, Ennuy saw the mix of reactions. Frostie—always cool under pressure—nodded with her usual calm. Her white-blonde hair, the same color as frost, peeked out from under her blue hoodie. She always seemed to radiate a cold aura, fitting for someone who could manipulate ice. Ragdoll, with her brown pigtails and overalls, looked a bit nervous, biting her lip. She was smaller than the rest of the team, but her combat skills made her a force to be reckoned with. Payback, their resident prankster, grinned. He wore a sleeveless jacket over a black tee, showing off his dark skin. His eyes gleamed with excitement—this was his kind of place. Charm, with her long blonde hair tied up in a messy bun, adjusted the fingerless gloves on her hands, her usual calm focus masking her curiosity. She had a thing for runes, which was clear from the glowing tattoos etched across her arms.

Kaelen’s gaze landed on Ennuy once more. “Make the most of it,” he added with a smirk before turning and disappearing into the shadows of the mansion.

Rave U was a whole other world. Ennuy felt like he had been thrown into the future as he and his team stepped onto the campus for the first time. Towering buildings made of sleek glass and steel reached toward the sky, connected by bridges that shimmered with holographic displays. Drones buzzed overhead, scanning the area with blinking blue lights, while robotic assistants roamed the grounds, offering help to students or conducting maintenance. It was like something out of a science fiction movie.

“Wow…” Payback breathed, wide-eyed as he stared at the floating orbs that acted as security scanners. The orbs drifted through the air, occasionally stopping in front of a student to verify their identity before allowing them to pass. Payback’s leather jacket, with its metallic sheen, caught the light as he marveled at the campus. His combat boots thudded against the gleaming walkways.

Frostie walked beside him, her hands tucked into the pockets of her oversized hoodie. Her blue jeans and sneakers completed her low-key look, but her ice-blue eyes never stopped scanning their surroundings. “Definitely not your average school,” she murmured.

“Understatement of the year,” Ragdoll chimed in, adjusting the straps of her overalls. Her wide, curious eyes took in every robotic assistant and automated system. She was still getting used to all the tech.

Charm was quieter than usual, her sharp eyes darting between the various holographic signs and directions displayed across the campus. The sleek, futuristic style of Rave U was impressive, even for someone as composed as her. She looked effortlessly fierce in her leather jacket, black jeans, and knee-high boots.

As they reached their classroom, Ennuy’s nerves finally settled—until he noticed the trio in the back.

Xyra, Selene, and Celesse Drakov, Kaelen’s daughters, were at the center of a group of girls, laughing and gossiping like they owned the place. Xyra, with her striking green eyes and long white hair, was as intimidating as ever. Her sisters, Selene and Celesse, shared her beauty and poise, but it was Xyra who truly commanded the room.

Xyra’s gaze flickered over to Ennuy, and she gestured for him to come closer with a sly smile. The rest of the room seemed to fade as he approached, his team close behind.

“Today, you’ll be skipping class,” Xyra said smoothly, her voice soft yet commanding. “There’s some...cleanup to be done in Ravetham.” She leaned forward slightly, her eyes never leaving his. “Go block to block. Rob every drug dealer you find. Hijack their cars. Deliver them to Veil’s Chopshop. Can you handle that?”

Ennuy blinked, his heart pounding. He’d heard of Veil’s Chopshop. This was no ordinary task. A rush of excitement surged through him, and he nodded quickly.

“Good,” Xyra said, leaning back with a satisfied grin. As Ennuy turned to leave, one of the girls nearby giggled. “He’s almost as cute as your brother.”

Ennuy froze mid-step. Her brother? He felt a mix of pride and curiosity. Who was Xyra’s brother?

As they made their way off campus, Ennuy and his team kept their focus on the mission. But just as they were about to leave, a young boy caught their attention. He was crouched by a bench, working intently on something that looked like a robot, his hands moving with lightning speed.

Ennuy tensed as the boy—no older than he was—suddenly looked up and rushed over. “You guys need to get back to class. Now!” the boy demanded, his voice filled with authority.

Ennuy sighed, not in the mood for interruptions. He was about to make a move to knock the kid out when he found himself...frozen. His body refused to move.

Then, a familiar voice rang out. “Brother, let them do the extracurricular activities I assigned them,” came Xyra’s amused tone. “Or should I turn Rave U into a nonstop party?”

The boy—Adrian Drakov, Xyra’s brother—groaned but backed off, releasing his hold on Ennuy. “Fine. But you better write an essay on it when you’re done,” he muttered, before turning back to his robot.

Ennuy exhaled, relieved. As Adrian walked away, Ennuy couldn’t help but admire the incredible robot he was working on. It was clear Adrian was a genius, even if he was a bit of a pain.

With a final nod, Ennuy and his team left the campus, ready to tackle their first mission under Xyra’s command.