3. The Two Vampires

Viole breathed heavily, his pulse pounding in his ears as the tension in the room thickened. He had never been a stranger to conflict, but this was different. The vampire he had just shoved aside wasn't a mere bully—he was dangerous. There was a glint in his eyes now, one that promised this wasn't over. Yet Viole stood his ground, his chest rising and falling steadily as he calmed the primal energy surging through his body.

The taller vampire wiped a smear of blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes narrowing. "You've got some fight in you, I'll give you that," he sneered. "But you're still new here. Let me teach you how things work."

Before Viole could respond, the vampire blurred forward again. This time, though, Viole was ready. He ducked low, his body moving on instinct, driven by the warrior blood in his veins. He sidestepped the vampire's strike, turning with a fluidity that came from hours of training. His muscles coiled, ready for the counterstrike. With a swift kick, he aimed for the vampire's legs, sweeping him off balance.

The vampire staggered, surprised by the speed and precision of the attack. Viole pressed his advantage, lunging forward and slamming his shoulder into the vampire's chest, sending him crashing into the opposite wall. The stone cracked under the impact.

The second vampire, still standing near the door, uncrossed his arms slowly. He had watched the fight with mild interest, but now, his expression hardened. "That's enough," he said, his voice cold and authoritative. "We didn't come here for a real fight."

Viole glanced over, his breath still coming in hard bursts. He was poised, ready for the next attack, but something in the second vampire's tone made him pause. The taller vampire snarled, but he backed off, his pride clearly wounded. He shot Viole a glare that promised retribution later.

"This isn't over," the vampire spat, turning toward the door. "You'll learn soon enough. Everyone does."

The two vampires slipped out of the room, leaving Viole standing alone in the silence. His body was still tense, adrenaline rushing through him, but slowly, the energy began to fade. He let out a long breath and rolled his shoulders, feeling the tension ease.

You handled that well, a voice murmured in his mind, but it wasn't any of the personalities. It was his own voice—his own confidence, emerging after years of suppressing it. Viole allowed himself a small smile. For once, he hadn't needed the others to step in.

The thought, however, was fleeting. In a place like this, strength was temporary. Every encounter would be a test of his resolve, his power, and his ability to keep his other personalities at bay. He wasn't sure how long he could keep that control, but today, at least, he had won.

Viole grabbed his bag and finished unpacking, his thoughts still swirling from the fight. He knew he had made an impression on the two vampires, but that likely wasn't the end of it. They would come back, and next time, they wouldn't underestimate him. He needed to be ready—stronger, faster, smarter. There were no second chances here.

As he sat down on the edge of his bed, he closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. It was a technique he had learned through meditation, a way to center himself and quiet the voices that lingered in the recesses of his mind. He could feel Aamon, Desmond, and Clark still present, but they were distant now, retreating to the corners of his consciousness. They would surface when needed, but for now, they were content to watch.

The next morning came too quickly. Viole barely slept, his mind restless with the weight of the academy's dangers. As dawn broke, he dressed in the academy's black and silver uniform, pulling the cloak over his shoulders. He had to find his place here, learn the rules and understand the power structures that governed this place. Aetherfall Academy wasn't just a school—it was a battleground. Survival meant learning how to play the game.

As he made his way down to the main hall for orientation, the other students began to gather. Some gave him curious glances, while others ignored him entirely. He spotted a few familiar faces from the dorms, including the two vampires from the night before. They watched him, but made no move to approach. For now, the conflict was on hold, but Viole knew it wouldn't stay that way for long.

The hall was massive, filled with rows of students and a stage at the far end where several academy instructors stood, their presence commanding. Viole found a spot toward the back, staying out of sight as much as possible. He wasn't looking to draw attention just yet. Not until he had a better understanding of what he was dealing with.

As the instructors began to speak, Viole's eyes scanned the crowd. It was a mix of supernatural creatures—vampires, werewolves, demons, and other beings that defied simple classification. Each one of them carried an air of danger, their power almost palpable. It reminded him just how far he had to go.

One of the instructors, a tall woman with dark hair and a cold expression, stepped forward. "Welcome to Aetherfall Academy," she said, her voice echoing through the hall. "Here, you will either become the strongest of your kind, or you will fall. The academy is not a place for weakness. You will be tested, pushed to your limits, and if you cannot handle it, you will be removed."

The words sent a chill down Viole's spine, but he stood firm. This was what he had come for. To be the strongest. To prove that no one—no personality, no enemy—could control him.

"As first-year students, your primary objective is to survive," the instructor continued. "The trials you will face here will determine your rank, your place in the academy, and ultimately, your future."

The room buzzed with quiet murmurs, the students exchanging nervous glances. Viole felt the weight of the instructor's words settle on him. The trials. He hadn't expected them so soon, but he knew they were coming. The academy was infamous for putting its students through grueling tests, pushing them to the edge to see who would break.

His hand twitched slightly as a familiar presence stirred in the back of his mind. Clark.

"This is where the fun begins," Clark whispered, his voice a venomous hiss. "You'll see who the real predators are, Viole. This place… it's a web. And you? You're at the center of it."

Viole shuddered but didn't let Clark's words get to him. He had come here to master his powers, to keep these personalities from controlling him. He wouldn't let them take over, not now.

The orientation ended with the instructors dismissing the students to their dorms, but not before one last warning: "Tomorrow, your trials begin. Be prepared."

As the students filed out of the hall, Viole kept to himself, his mind already turning to what the trials would involve. Combat? Magic? Psychological tests? It could be anything. He needed to prepare for everything.

But even as the thought crossed his mind, he knew there was something more dangerous than any trial the academy could throw at him—his own internal struggle. The personalities within him would always be there, waiting, watching. And if he wasn't careful, they would try to take control.

Viole clenched his fists as he walked back toward the dorm. This place wasn't just a school for supernatural beings. It was a crucible, one designed to forge warriors. But in the process, it would test not just his strength, but his willpower. How long could he keep the others at bay?

The academy's looming towers cast long shadows over the path as Viole walked in silence. Tomorrow, the real fight would begin.