As Violet stepped off the train, she was immediately struck by the sheer magnitude of Aster City. It was everything she had imagined and more. If she could compare it to her district, it was safe to say that she had been living beneath a rock all through her life.
As a capital city, it buzzed with energy, alive with towering buildings, throngs of people, and a chaotic blend of sounds that reverberated through the air. Yet, despite its overwhelming presence, no one seemed to notice her.
The girl with the unusual purple hair and duffel bag passed unnoticed through the crowd. In her district, she had always drawn stares, whispers following her wherever she went, but here? She was just another face in the sea of humanity. The reality was both liberating and unsettling.
However, what took Violet aback, though, was the diversity of the people around her. Even among humans, there were so many different races, ethnicities, and styles all mingling together. But it wasn't just humans. For the first time in her life, Violet came close enough to the werewolves, creatures she had only read about in textbooks or heard whispered stories of.
Violet had studied them enough to recognize them by the way they carried themselves, strong, imposing, and exuding a certain raw energy that was impossible to ignore. Her mother hadn't been exaggerating. These creatures were stunning in an almost unnerving way. Tall, muscled, and impossibly attractive, they exuded an effortless dominance that made it hard not to stare.
But Violet knew she couldn't spend the day gawking. This was unfamiliar territory, and as exhilarating as it was, it was also dangerous. Anything could happen in a place like this. She could be robbed, scammed, or worse, kidnapped. Her instincts, finely tuned from years of cautious living, kicked in, and she approached a few humans who seemed approachable.
"You're going to Lunaris Academy?" the man she asked — Carlos, he introduced himself — gave her a look she couldn't quite decipher. There was something unsettling about his expression, almost as if there was pity mixed with concern.
"Yes," she answered.
"No bus goes directly to Lunaris Academy," he finally said, his voice thick with an accent she couldn't place. "You'll have to hire a taxi."
Violet's stomach sank. A taxi? Oh god, no.
Back in her district, no one took taxis. They were far too expensive, and she had little money to spare. Violet was stuck, unsure of what to do next. Nancy had given her all that she could spare and she couldn't waste it on a taxi ride.
Carlos must have sensed her distress, because he added, "Follow me."
Violet's gut didn't scream danger, but she was cautious nonetheless. They walked to a nearby parking lot, and Carlos approached a man in a car. After a brief, animated conversation, Carlos waved her over.
"That's my cousin, Amilo," Carlos said, pointing to his cousin who was now trying to turn in the right direction. "I talked to him. He'll take you for half the usual price. You can trust him."
Relief flooded Violet's chest. "Thank you," she murmured, feeling genuinely grateful.
"No worries," Carlos replied, though his tone grew darker. "Just be careful in that damned school. Our kind thinks it's a privilege, but those furry freaks are no good. Devourers, the lot of them. And I wonder why humans are so blind to see it."
His thick accent made the warning even more ominous, but Violet brushed it aside, pushing the fear away. It wasn't like she had much choice. But she kept it in the back of her mind. Just in case
She then glanced over to Amilo, who was now waiting for her.
"Get in, purple head," Amilo called, the nickname almost making her bristle, but there was no malice in his tone, so she let it slide.
Unlike his quiet cousin, Carlos, Amilo was a chatterbox. As soon as they were on the road, he peppered her with questions about her name, where she was from, and a compliment on her hair, assuming it was dyed. Violet didn't correct him. She didn't need him prying too deep into her life.
But Amilo never seems to read the room.
"Violet, huh? Is that why you dyed your hair purple?" Amilo asked, a teasing smile on his face. "Trying to make a statement to your parents or something?"
The question hit a nerve, and Violet's mood soured. She didn't talk about her unknown parents much, but being reminded of it stung. Amilo must have sensed her change in demeanor because he didn't push further, instead turning up the radio and began belting out the lyrics to the song playing.
He had a decent voice, but Violet wasn't about to compliment him. Not when she was grateful for the distraction from his prying questions.
About thirty minutes into the drive down a two-lane road flanked by thick, untamed wilderness, Amilo's voice broke the steady hum of the engine. "We've arrived," he announced.
Violet glanced out the window, confused. All she could see was more trees, nothing but dense forest stretching in every direction.
She frowned. "Mister, there's nothing but—" Her words cut off as Amilo rounded a bend, and suddenly, the sight before her stole her breath away.
"Wow..." she whispered, her eyes widening in awe.
The Academy looked like something plucked from the pages of a fairytale. Nestled in a sprawling estate surrounded by lush forests and rolling green hills, the sight was both breathtaking and imposing. The trees stretched above the road, their branches weaving together to form a natural canopy that dappled the path in flickering light.
As they neared, the grand entrance loomed before her, a large arched metal sign emblazoned with an elaborate coat of arms on the top, and beneath it, in bold, capital letters were the words LUNARIS ACADEMY.
The gate itself was supported by two sturdy brick pillars topped with white stone, elegant yet formidable. The surrounding walls seemed to stretch endlessly, marking the boundaries of the prestigious grounds. Neatly landscaped shrubs lined the perimeter, and small spotlights set around them, likely illuminating the grand structure at night.
Despite the ruined state of the world where technology was a rare privilege, the gate was surprisingly automated, sliding open smoothly as they approached. They were met with a small security checkpoint where a guard stepped out, holding a sleek electronic device in his hand that immediately caught Violet's attention.
"Name?" he asked in a tone that was more formal than harsh.
"Violet Purple," she replied, her voice unexpectedly small, the enormity of the moment hitting her.
At the mention of her name, the guard's stern face softened into a welcoming smile.
"Welcome to Lunaris Academy, Miss Purple," he said, gesturing to his partner in the security booth. The barrier was lifted, and as their car rolled forward, Violet caught sight of the guard typing something rapidly into his device.
For a brief moment, suspicion flickered in her mind, but she shrugged it off. He was probably just logging her arrival. Though she didn't own a phone, Violet was familiar enough with basic tech, thanks to the media center back in her old school. Hopefully, Lunaris Academy would offer better resources, and she wouldn't have to deal with booking slots ahead of time just to use them.
As Amilo continued down the pristine concrete drive, Violet marveled at the sight before her. The academy's grounds were expansive, far larger than she had imagined. Tall, majestic trees lined the road, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. Wide, manicured lawns stretched out on either side, dotted with stone fountains, their water glinting in the afternoon sun. Vibrant flower gardens bloomed around them, each petal carefully arranged, proof of the academy's meticulous upkeep.
Then, they arrived at the academy itself.
The main building stretched wide and tall, an imposing structure made of stone. Its architecture was a blend of old-world grandeur and modern sleekness.
But what truly caught Violet's eye were the statues.
Along the roof, leering down at the world below were ferocious stone wolves, their sharp fangs bared and eyes glaring with eternal vigilance. They seemed to guard the academy, adding to its mystique and hinting at the primal power that lurked within its walls.
More cobblestone paths branched out in various directions, leading to other structures she couldn't yet make out, but each one looked just as grand as the last.
Amilo brought the car to a stop and whistled, clearly impressed. "You're really going to this school, Purple Head?"
"Obviously," Violet replied dryly as she stepped out of the car, hauling her heavy duffel bag out with her. She made her way to the driver's side window and handed him the fare.
Amilo accepted it with a grin that might have made her blush if she were into charming older men. "Can I have your number, Purple Head?" he asked with a wink.
Violet almost rolled her eyes but managed to keep her composure. "I don't have a phone," she said flatly, and for the first time, she was genuinely grateful for it.
Amilo didn't push the matter. Phones were an expensive luxury, and he likely didn't expect someone her age to have one anyway.
Amilo shrugged, unfazed. "Well, if you ever need a ride or anything else, come find me or my cousin when you're in the city."
His cousin Carlos, yes –she owed him– him? Not so much. Although she was thankful for the ride.
"Sure." She gave a noncommittal nod, eager for him to leave.
Amilo smiled again, a little too pleased with himself as if he'd won some victory. "Goodbye, Purple Head," he called out before driving off, his car disappearing down the winding road.
The moment he was gone, Violet let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She turned to face the towering doors of Lunaris Academy. It stood like a fortress before her, yet called her forward. She gripped the handle of her bag tighter, nerves fluttering in her stomach.
Where the hell was she supposed to start?