The Dorm

We were standing at the gateway of the academy, heaving with fatigue, catching our breathes after the long walk around the fortress of a campus, the protruding huge boundary walls greeting our parched eyes.

After having seen the same patterned wall for so long, we were finally looking at something new. The entrance of the academy. And it was massive, making one question the amount of riches and time these night crawlers had.

The layers of arches, the carvings on the door and the tall structuring, surely claimed its value as Rynderg's.

"Why does it seem so deserted?" I asked Sian, as he hauled the luggage bag forward, taking mine along with him before I could stop him.

"Let's just get inside," he looked tired, so I didn't question him, we had been traveling without an ounce of sleep, specially him, so I could understand his annoyance.

The gate remained closed however even after we went to stand directly in front of it and there was no one in sight, no guard, nothing.

I took a wavering breath, rubbing my dry eyes. "How are we supposed to get in?"

"Look around, I think we will get something," Sian said unhelpfully.

So I walked around the porch, taking in every detail, the extravagant work . It was kind of embarrassing, just standing here waiting to get inside and I felt myself fluster.

"Don't we have their number or something?" I asked hopefully.

"We have their pamphlet but only the first one, I don't know about the second one though, I seemed to have misplaced it."

It wasn't like Sian to misplace an important document, but I didn't want to argue with him, it would be a waste of time. "Then let's read the first one, maybe it has some clues on how to get in."

He nodded, taking out the pamphlet from his bag, flipping through the pages. I watched as his eyes widened, "Hey, Ruya, look at this."

Feeling hopeful again, I quickly made my way to Sian, moving in to see what he was pointing at.

I noticed the last of the page, which had been blank earlier had my name written on it in bold gold letters. Ruya Seraun.

Beneath it more words started to appear, but in silver this time. ["We are happy to receive you, we apologize for any inconveniences you might have faced during your travels, but our reach is limited to our campus grounds."]

["Welcome to Rynderg, we hope you have a pleasant day."]

["To enter, just state a password you would like to keep for yourself, but do not share it with anyone else, for it is your personal access code. The password must be spoken in mind if you have company.

Touch the gate with your index finger and think of the password and whisper 'Amond'. And if you have to enter and exit again, just put your palm on the door and think of the password. And by any chance if you want to reset the password, kindly repeat the word Amond before your password to change it."]

The words started to disappear as soon as I finished reading it. "What? So I have to say a password and say Amond. What was the rest of it?"

Sian shrugged, "I don't know, all I got is that the password seems to be a permanent thing, so remember it, they say you can change it too if you want, but that is for later on, let's just get going."

I nodded, touching the gate with my index finger and thinking the word 'Vange'.

"Amond," I whispered after.

I stepped back as the gate started to shift with a giant creak, a typical sound that told me I was finally going to step in some huge mess.

A bright light assaulted my eyes as the door opened up, giving me the way in, so I took my chance and stepped forward.

I wondered what I would find once inside. would it be cold and dreary?

I blinked, breathing in, because the campus inside was nothing like my imagination. The view in front of me was magnificent, ethereal. It was like every structure held the memory of its time. A great consideration must have went into building them. Plus they were looking very old, and I mused just how old they could be.

These buildings which sat in front of me, all of them were old, brick constructed, arranged in old fashioned clusters, and had a very tall bearing. Who would have thought that within the cold gates laid such mine of old heritages and warm atmosphere.

Unlike the misty dull visual that we had been first greeted with, this was much more preferred. The sky was blue and filled with drifting white clouds, the students in front of me were all human looking, making me feel comfortable. And just like any other town, the air was thick with excitement and chatter. It was a contrast to that advertisement we had seen in the newspaper.

Seems like the campus was like your usual ones, with buildings, fields and gathering spots.

But something was amiss and I frantically whirled around to look for Sian, who was still not with me.

To my confusion, he was still outside, not even moving a step, so I gestured for him to come in, but he shook his head, banging his fist in the air, as if there was some kind of a glass wall in front of him, not letting him in.

So I pointed at the pamphlet to remind him that his name had yet to appear, so he had to go through the process just like me and his eyes widened when he remembered.

He quickly shuffled through the pages and did a few things, until I waited around, watching the people move in and out of the buildings.

Finally when I heard Sian's voice and the loud thud of the main gateway closing, I took in a relieved breath. "What happened?"

"I kind of couldn't come in like you, even though I said the password and all." he explained to me, examining his finger, which I saw was decorated with fresh drop of blood.

"Did you prick yourself?"

He frowned, "Kind of, since they wanted my blood sample first, so I had to let the pin stuck on the gate have a taste of me."

"Weird, they didn't ask for that from me."

"Maybe because you are complete human and I am a hunter."

Yeah, that could be. "Still. It was nasty."

Sian smiled, "More like signing a contract in blood."

I shivered mentally, it felt ominous. "Anyway, we are finally here."

"I think we should visit the building which is closest to us, a help desk or reception must be there."

"Wait," I stopped Sian, "I see a direction board up ahead, we can take help from that."

"Do you understand their language? Because all I see is jumbled words."

"But didn't they taught you the night language in your training?" I was sure his hunter background went through many of such outlandish stuffs.

"No, I am not a hunter," he lowered his voice, "I am from the family of one."

But the campus seemed to recognize him as one... anyway.

I pouted, "Fine, let's go with your way then."

Sian grinned smugly and we made our way towards the oldest building in sight. I did notice the giant clock ticking on the front and it read 9:20 AM. We were a little late but at least we were here in the end.

We entered inside the building and were welcomed with a sight of an old fashioned reception hall, with waiting lounges and food and drink in one corner. The whole furnishing was done with rich old oak and well polished oiling. I could smell the woodsy scent all around, which was nice.

Not far from the sitting area, the reception desk was headed by a bespectacled woman, her hair done in a round bun covered with black lace.

She turned to look up at us when we started to approach her, keeping our luggage at the side.

"How can I help you gentlemen." She asked as soon as we were in her hearing range.

"This seems to be our first day here," Sian told her politely, "myself Sian and he is Ruya." He motioned towards me, "We have it in our knowledge that the dorms have to be finalized after we have selected our courses."

The receptionist nodded with a smile, "Yes yes, I will tell you the procedure."

She handed us a form and asked us to sign it. "After you are done signing it, please fill up which subject you have chosen. Then I will tell you the rest."

Both Sian and I signed the papers and thoughtfully filled in our respective subjects. And since Sian was sort of my bodyguard, he filled in the same subjects as me.

"Arts," the woman murmured, keeping the forms away into the pile on her desk. Then taking out two more papers, she patted it down on the table in front of us, eyeing through her lenses. "You can change your subject whenever you want. For now chose the sub subjects and fill in your desirable combat preferences. Then please submit me two identity cards, also a certificate is required of your excellence from school."

My eyes widened, I hadn't brought any excellence certificate. I was about to ask her if not having one had repercussions, when Sian brought to my attention a set of papers, all from my school.

"Your father gave it to me."

I thanked him and kept the paper by my side, I had no idea how prepared he was, but he seemed to have almost every answer to my problem. And if I hadn't been so focused on dreading the future, then maybe I would have been just as prepared.

I absently wondered what excellence certificate Sian had, but I didn't ask him. It could be anything.

I nervously jotted down my choices in the paper, ending up with five subjects from the many. Painting, Fine arts, Theory behind Art, Digital designing and History of Art. And for the combat preference, I took Sword, although I was better with a gun. But anyways, it was worth a try.

Sian copied all of my subjects down on his own paper, including his weapon choice and we together submitted the forms back.

The receptionist sighed, "You two like each other so much that you would take up similar courses?"

Sian chuckled while I paled, stuttering out a no. Sian's words haunted me, when he had said that same sex relationship weren't frowned upon in the night society. It made me feel weird, almost pukish.

The woman hummed as she checked the certification making me nervous the longer she checked. And when her lips pursed at Sian's certificate, I wanted the day to get over already.

"A merit in Classification?" she asked with surprise, at least her tone implied that. "Are you sure you want Arts as your major?"

Sian simply nodded, not bothering with a reply.

"Oh well."

A shot of curiousness made me look at him in question. I had never heard of that certificate, what was Sian hiding?

"Then please have a seat, I will call in our dorm in-charge soon."

We both distractedly complied and sat ourselves on the golden cushioned couches in front. And the minute of respite gave me a chance to speak with Tae. "What was your certificate about?"

"Merit of classification," he said, "it is given to those who are eligible for government positions, it is more diverted towards the combat skills and technical."

"Then when did you even get it?"

"I never went to school to study, so instead I studied with my mother, she was the one who taught me everything there was to pass the competition for the merit. I passed easily and since then I have it safe with me." Sian smiled cheerfully, "That is why I was able to come with you in the first place. This Academy doesn't lets in just anyone."

I gulped, Sian was so cool, he had skills. And confidence too. Amazing.

"Mr. Ruya and Mr. Sian?" a deep voice addressed us and we learned soon that he was a Vampire. His very clear golden eyes a dead give away. Also his skin looked very pale, as if he hadn't been in the sun for long.

"Yes. Mr...?" Sian managed, since I was still observing him.

"Call me Edward, I am in-charge of the boys dorm around here."

I noted that Sian stood up and kept the conversation going with some other questions, but I was working my brain. I didn't like vampires, because of them I had this... condition. If one hadn't attacked mother she wouldn't have fell with me still in her womb. And those panic attacks wouldn't have been a problem for me.

Though I also didn't hate Vampires, for some reason I pitied them, and their kind hadn't killed mother even if it was by luck. But my hate for witches still remained. The witches didn't need to kill people for blood, they din't have hunger issues, then why would one kill my mother. I still hadn't found any reason for it.

"Ruya?" I was snapped away from my musings as Sian gestured for me to get up, we had to leave.

I placed an apologetic look on my face and avoided eye contact with the vampire dude, I didn't know if he was really as friendly as he seemed. It was strange talking to a night crawler, since I had never talked to one before.

We got out of the building and I watched Sian falling in steps with Edward, who apparently had no issues with the strong sunlight. Maybe I wasn't as aware of their species due to living a sheltered life, but I wanted to improve, know them better, and not just for my father's mafia resolutions.

Sian kept me informed about many facts on the night crawlers but even he didn't tell me many things.

"The dorm we are going to is located nearer to School of Arts," Edward told us, "it will be helpful for you guys."

"Are there any rules or regulation to these dorms?" Sian asked him with a friendly smile, one of his hand stuffed inside his pocket in style.

Edward chuckled, "Nothing extraordinary there, just don't start a fight with the others, maintain calm and practice good brotherhood.... um, I guess that is it."

"What about, bringing in other friends at night," Sian was rather suggestive.

Edward laughed, "That is not against the rules, but if found in a compromising position by the ward, you might be sentenced to detention."

"Nice," Sian nodded happily, "I wasn't planning to bring in anyone anyway."

"Oh... so... about the dorm, currently we have two rooms empty, but both are three seater, you would have to adjust with a vampire... or a werewolf. And I suggest you take the werewolf, even if they go in heat, that happens once a month. But with vampires... we get thirsty very easily and tend to go rogue. I won't lie on that," he pointedly shifted his eyes at me.

"Then we will take the bunk with our new werewolf buddy," Sian finalized, even though Edward had his eyes on me a few times, like he was interested.

And that was repulsive, so I shifted myself to walk on Sian's side.

I did not have any issues per say, but the thought of me being with another male was unnerving and it just wasn't my cup of tea. Maybe Sian could swing both ways, but not me, I just wasn't into that kind of thing.

"We have reached," Edward called, pointing at the huge delicate looking structure across the public square. The conical spirals rising high above into pointy noses. The skeleton of the exterior riddled with intricate carvings and laces.

"Are all building here the same?" Sian looked very fascinated with the building.

"Not really," Edward spoke thoughtfully, "Most are different, but for those who are studying other subjects, they live around the North block. We are currently in the south block."

"How big is this Campus," I questioned him for the first time, and instantly regretted it, since his full attention settled on me.

"It is like a city in itself, you won't find something this unique anywhere else on our continent."

I diverted my eyes away from his wondering ones, not at all feeling happy under his approving glances.

SIan must have sensed my discomfort since he covered me a little with his own body, "I am sorry Edward, but something in your behavior is making my friend uncomfortable, mind looking away a bit?"

I was beyond embarrassed with Sian's straight forward warning, but Edward instantly behaved himself. "I am sorry, I didn't realize my mistake, it's just that he smells nice, so..."

"Oh," Sian nodded, "I understand, no issues, I like your frankness."

Although I was not feeling that comfortable, I smiled at Edward to pacify the damage. And he took my peaceful approach kindly. "Sorry for making you uncomfortable, but I am not the only Vampire in this Academy," he said to me, with a small smile, "you would have to build resistance to my kind's misbehaviors, I am more in control but many out there aren't. Since mostly they are still freshers or juniors."

"I will try not to mind it... much."

Edward laughed, "What can I say, our urges for blood make us vulnerable, but we compromise. And since there aren't many humans in our Campus, we get intrigued by the ones who are there."

I blinked, "So you don't feed on blood? I mean you say it like you rarely see humans."

Edward nodded, "We don't feed on blood, we have taken to other substitutes. But blood is the original taste, so we are attracted to it anyway. I assume Mr. Sian here is wearing something on his self, so I don't really find him alluring."

"Call me Sian, Edward," Sian made himself familiar, "And yes I am wearing something on myself alright. Doesn't makes you nauseous?"

"No, just repulsive," he bit out the word awkwardly.

Sian chuckled, "Then that wasn't my intention, but do tell, how many vampires are there in total. Because I care about Ruya, and if some harm comes to him..."

Edwards quickly tried to comfort our worries though he did not tell us the number, "Nothing would happen to Ruya, you have my word, because we work in a system, the leader would have anyone's head if a human is killed. The Campus is safe unless you try something, but try not to get involved with our internal workings much, it gets... gruesome."

Both me and Sian caught on to the warning and nodded, making Edward sigh with relief. "So let's go, I will introduce you to your dorm's in-charge, his name is Mark, he is a hunter, so you maybe feeling more comfortable."

"Is he a student too?" Sian asked.

Edward was surprised, "You could tell I am a student?"

"Well, the way you handle yourself makes me believe you are not a staff."

The vampire grinned, kind of forgetting that we could see his sharp fangs. Or maybe not. "I am a student, well all the dorms are managed by the students themselves. We have a student council and the council decides who gets to be what. Mark has a big name in the council board and among us students, so everyone values his job. Running a dorm isn't easy, fights break out all the time, and it's us dorm in-charges who handle everything."

I gulped, "I guess then that the student council holds a big part in the workings..."

"Of course," Edward nodded, "That is why the system is working better. Because we student know everything, whose at fault, who isn't. While the Academy authority isn't as sufficient."

We reached the front of the dorm and Edward called someone down, speaking to someone on his phone.

Instantly we were greeted with a new face, as the huge ass doors slid open, "You called?" he asked groggily, he was looking at Edward then at us.

"Meet your new juniors, Sian and Ruya. Both have taken major in Arts."

The guy nodded, his face slightly sleepy as he stepped outside in the porch area, squinting his eyes against the bright light but then opening his eyes wide when he clearly saw us. His pink hair and his comical expression was really fascinating to watch.

"They are humans?" he asked Edward, who shrugged and started to leave, "Take care of them, I will see you around later Mark."

The guy Mark was still staring at us, until Sian cleared his throat and he jumped. "Woah, we have humans with us again, finally. I miss humans, I miss humans so much."

Sian and I kind of shifted back with uncomfortable glances. "You okay there?" I asked the guy.

Mark sniffled, "Yeah, just happy that now our team has become bigger."

"Team?" Sian questioned.

Mark smiled suddenly, throwing us into a loop, "Anyway, all that later, let's get you settled in."

He lead us inside, presenting the lobby as if it was his own, "The lobby is nothing special, but you will find me here at night, I practically live here, cuz, I don't like my roommates, they are annoying."

For a building with such high rise structuring, the lobby sure had low head clearance. The furnishing all wooden, as fire burned in the hearth, heating up the space. The couches and tables all aligned for gatherings.

I analysed the carpet and knew just how rich the whole organisation must be to have bought such things.

"Edward must have already told you, but we have only two three seaters left, so you both decide, whom do you want to share with. A vampire dude, or a werewolf dude. And please don't tell me you don't know what they are, I have met people like that too."

Sian instantly answered him back, "The werewolf."

Mark nodded, "Wise choice," then he continued towards the other section of the lobby, ending up standing in front of a highly decorative staircase. The walls around full of historical artifacts and riches.

"The rooms all have five beds each, but since the population isn't that dense yet, the school authority reduced the number of students per room to three or two."

"Aren't there single rooms?" I asked Mark, as we climbed up the stairs, tugging on our luggage with us.

"The single ones are reserved for the Trinity. And they are expensive as hell."

"Trinity?"

We met a long corridor as Mark lead us through the passage, his finger dangling the keys. "The trinity are three people who lead our council, they elect the members of the council. So better be in their good graces."

"Oh, so they aren't humans are they?"

Mark laughed, "You would be surprised."

"So there is a human involved?" I asked with shock, I had thought the whole campus was filled with night crawlers authority.

"Yes, he is a hunter like me, Wang is his name."

Sian smirked, "The one with that goofy smile?"

Mark stopped in front of us, clearly amused, "You know him?" he asked with surprise.

"He got a lift from us on the way, he dropped off near Orchid's grave."

Mark whistled, "You have got yourselves on his side already? Nice."

Side? Like the wings concept?

"What do you mean by side?" I asked him hesitantly.

"The crowd here works on a system you see, so the freshmen have to chose whose side they belong to, so that the system can work smoothly. If they misbehave, their side would be the one to deliver the punishment. And if they get hurt, their side would help them, protect them. It is really simple, not at all messy until one doesn't decides to make it messy."

"Aside from Wang, who else do we have."

Mark shivered, "The second one is a fairy, but somewhat just. The fairy is a female though and they are worse than the male ones, more vengeful. Her name is Rose. Pretty and graceful, yet evil. Has a thing for blues though."

"And the third?"

"Jashuen Xergo, the campus enigma, the Vampire leader, you can say the next in line to his clan. He is..." Mark frowned, "I don't know, I know he is creative with his rule, but I just don't know him. He is confusing to many, reason why his group of people are less in number. It is weird though, he rejects many who want to be on his side, only keeps those around whom he wants to. I mean his team isn't powerful or threatening enough, they are generally ignored and do not even fight, only four of his men are good enough, the rest are just... nerdy or weak."

"Well then, that is just..."

"Weird," Sian added for me.

"Yeah, and I think he doesn't likes humans maybe, so he has none in his team."

I had thought initially that I would make my own team, but choosing a side also didn't seem that bad, not when that Wang guy was involved. He had seemed humble enough.

"Well then, we are on Wang's side," I mumbled, I was certainly staying away from Rose and that weird vampire guy. "But is Wang my senior? I don't want to be left team-less when he graduates, or maybe I would just become the next one after him." I smirked thinking myself as some Trinity leader. A mafia who became a trinity. It sounded so out of context.

"Wang is going to stay for 7 years more, he took combat, so..."

I did a double take, "Combat has seven years?"

"12," Mark supplied as if stating the weather, "that is why only those stay here who have taken either combat, science, medical or Arts."

I stopped entirely, the things going above my head. And Sian seemed to have paused too, observing my stunned face.

I stared at Mark who was just walking ahead through the extremely long corridor, or maybe we were too involved in our talks to ever consider walking faster.

When Mark felt no one following him, he stopped, "You alright?"

"How many years does one study Arts?"

"10 years."

"No, this is not happening, how am I going to stay that long?" I asked Sian with a frantic tone.

"Relax dude," Mark helped, "You can leave in between after three years, nobody will stop you. But with the 10 years worth certification, your art would sell almost anywhere and in any city, at a high price. That is why people do the course for 10 years, it gives them better job opportunity, money and recognition. Also, our Academy's name is popular even over seas, so you see, you have an opportunity here. You do the three years and leave, your choice, but you still have got the chance."

"B-But it is costly, how do people even manage?"

"After three years, the academy doesn't takes charges, but they let you stay if you are good enough for their standards. If not, then well, they throw you out themselves."

"Is that why this is like a city on its own?" Sian asked with amusement.

"Yes, and at times people have to go outside the campus for work related issues, or they take internship/apprenticeship under some well known people while still being affiliated with the academy, submitting their projects on time. Wang had gone out to hunt down some rogue werewolf, that is why you met him. He takes on jobs like that, it helps the academy attain name for itself and helps him become richer. Being a hunter isn't frowned upon here, instead the academy values it."

"So what year are you in?" I asked him.

"I am an eighth year, combat as you see."

"Wow, that is cool."

Mark smiled at my exclamation and finally opened a door to our right. "This will be your room, the werewolf is out, so feel free to get familiar with the things."

The room was not a complicated arrangement. It was square, large, had a fire place and beds and wardrobes. There was even a washroom attached to one side.

"Looks cool but why would a werewolf need a broomstick? Is he frolicking with a witch?" Sian asked while pointing at the broom kept on the bed.

"I have everyone on leash, so no, it must be for his experiment or something."

We both tugged our luggage in, breathing in relief after all that travel.

"The breakfast is out, so feel free to come downstairs and remember the room number," Mark reminded, "it is 13. Close the door behind when you leave, you can use the same password that worked on the main gateway."

"You mean we can use that Amond thing here too? For closing and opening the door I mean."

He nodded, "Yes, just be careful around here, don't pick up fights around okay?"

Both me and Sian promised him as he smiled in satisfaction and left.