First, author's note: I will be publishing some of the characters' pasts in their point of view, but that doesn't mean I will always be doing it. I will still be doing Matthew's POV for most of the chapters in this book. That's all. You may proceed in reading.
ASHLEY'S POV
I felt the summer ray that got through the window hit my face, wind had accompanied the light. The sudden breeze created an unruly mess of my hair. I was checking my belongings inside my bag, making sure I didn't forget anything on the first day of school as I waited for my mother to finish making lunch.
I was sitting on a gray reclining chair. The television playing in front of me faded into the background. I was so focused on my belongings sitting in my bag, I didn't notice my dad had taken a seat on the couch beside me. He turned the T.V. off before facing me, a smile decorated his face and the corner of his eyes had formed wrinkles.
"You look so nervous and tense, my daughter." My dad, also the principal of the university I was attending in, commented on my state of emotions that are evident on my face. "I'm afraid you'll gain more wrinkles than me at such a young age."
I puffed my cheeks and diverted my attention away from my bag and gave it to my dad. "You're not helping."
"I was trying to set a lighter mood for you. Tell me, what caused you to be so anxious today? I'm sure it's not the first time you'll be attending the university."
I looked down at my backpack that sat on my lap. From the corner of my eyes, the red button gleamed along with the chandeliers that hung above. This was one of the reasons I felt nervous.
I turned fifteen three months ago. Since I was a child, I already knew the secrets a certain building held in the university - the elite building - given my father was the principal.
I was aware of the upcoming threats and possible questions that were soon going to mess with my head - another reason why I was so nervous.
Being an elite... Was in our blood. Our destinies will always be tied in serving the moon goddess in getting rid of the creatures death himself has made. Whether we want to or not, it was inevitable. Although, luckily, if you survived the six years of fighting, you can return to your normal life once more.
Knowing this, I was glad I knew some of the basics of what was to come.
"I know that, dad. But I'm of age now... I'm about to enter the Night Fog Forest. I still imagine what those ventifios look like."
"You shouldn't." He poked my cheek. "Ventifios have questionable anatomies. What I described to you before were just figments of my memories. I haven't been in the underworld a long time." He then muttered. "But I have a feeling I'd be joining you soon."
Sometimes, the elites were in odd numbers, meaning my dad had to come with us for an even fight. But I recalled my dad saying it has been at least three years since he went down the underworld.
"They sound so scary." I nervously chuckled. "And I haven't seen them yet."
"You will do fine, my daughter." This time, the voice didn't belong to me nor my dad. We turned our heads towards the direction of a young woman with flowing black hair and soft grey eyes that held kindness in them.
"Classmates can indeed be scary at first, but once you get to know them, all your fears will vanish."
My dad and I shared a knowing look. My mother was normal-blooded, indicating she doesn't know anything about the underworld, ventifios, and soul protectors. She must've thought I was talking about new classmates.
"Ah, yes. You're right, mom." I bowed my head. "I shouldn't judge people base on what I heard."
"I see my daughter has matured." My mom sniffed and smiled. "Time flies. I still remember when I was still teaching you how to walk."
"Me too, darling." My dad approached my mom and gave her a forehead kiss. "I truly wish she would stop growing. I don't recognize my baby girl anymore." My dad's blue orbs bore with mine.
"Instead, I see a lady."
I couldn't hold back and ran to hug them both. I cherished moments like this. Where I could forget about the chances of death, forget the bloodthirsty creatures, and just be myself.
"Well," My mom shook her head stubbornly. "Even if she has a husband and her own family, she will always be my baby girl!"
"Okay, mom!" I shouted out of embarrassment. "Look at the time. We should be leaving. Dad!"
"I will wait for you in the car, Ashley. Say goodbye to your mom properly." And he left.
My mom hugged me once more and whispered. "Good luck today, Ashley. Have fun and relax, okay? I'll miss you."
"Yes, mom." I squeezed her tightly. "I will. And I'll try to contact you."
Waving to my mom from inside the car, we drove to school.
-
Upon our arrival, the first thing I saw was a crowd of students waiting at the parking lot. There were about... twenty-two people in all. The majority of them wore bored expressions while others could barely contain their excitement. I noticed there was slight spacing between the students. And two people were faced towards the gate - one was a boy with black hair and black eyes who stood tall, but his eyes screamed anxiousness. The other was a girl with blonde hair and very dark grey eyes. She showed a welcoming smile to everybody.
I also noticed they wore red buttons on their left sleeves.
I fidgeted with my own red button and looked at my dad for assurance. He glanced at me and patted my shoulder. "Remember, these people will be your allies. There's no reason to feel afraid."
He says that but it doesn't stop my breathing from being ragged and my heart from jumping out of my chest. I have been waiting for this day my entire life, and yet, I still wasn't mentally prepared.
I always knew meeting the elites would be overwhelming if I was a 'normal' person, but this was the thing - I wasn't! I was one of these people, so why did I feel the need to impress them?
I took a deep breath and exhaled before following my dad who got out of the car.
"I'm sorry I made you wait, everyone." My dad said and gestured to me. "I had to pick my daughter up since this is her first day of being an official elite."
"You'll have the time to get to know everyone later, but first..." The black-haired guy and the blonde-haired girl stepped forward. "... Ashley, this is Zed, captain of the first batch."
His eyes suddenly switched from anxious to serious. "Nice to meet you."
"And this is Samara, captain of the second batch." The girl still had a blinding smile on as she greeted me. "Hi, Ashley! Welcome to your first day of being an elite. I hope we'll be of assistance to you."
The two had completely opposite ways of welcoming someone. Nevertheless, I felt accepted. "I also hope I can be of help to all of you."
"Miss Ramirez must be waiting." Dad spoke after the introduction, checking his watch. "Come, everyone. Let us begin class at the elite building."
-
I learned all about the range and domain in Math, the cohesive devices in English, and the history of the elites.
Class ended five minutes ago, and I was currently tidying the insides of my bag when suddenly, the girl captain from before, Samara, walked towards me with a boy who looked similar to her.
"Hi, Ashley! How did you like the lesson?"
Her bubbly personality was contagious. "Well, I'm afraid I feel like I knew Selene in person than the most remembered people of Rome."
The boy beside Samara chuckled. "I have to agree with you on that. Miss Ramirez just worships Selene so much. So, don't be surprised if an hour later, she suddenly changes into teaching elite stuff."
I gazed at him up and down. His blonde hair was a mess that seemed intentional. His grey eyes reminded me of grey clouds, signaling a stormy day. He was tall - taller than the girl by maybe four or five inches. He had his hands on his pockets and a smile that beams like the sun.
I found myself staring at him. I may have known him in less than a minute, but there was a force that made me unknowingly attracted to him.
I caught myself staring for too long and asked a question to snap me out of my daze. "I... Er- Do I... Know you?"
The boy looked surprised and Samara hit him lightly on the shoulder. "Where are your manners, Samuel? Go on, introduce yourself!"
The boy - Samuel - grumbled at Samara but grinned at me. "You probably heard, but I'm Samuel. To remember me easily, just know I'm her brother-" He pointed at the female captain.
'That makes sense.'
"- And the next captain of the second batch." That declaration perked my interest.
'He wishes to be a captain? How ambitious.'
"You have to work hard if you want to take my place, little brother." Samara said and patted Samuel's back. "You need to prove you're worthy of the position!"
"I will!" Samuel laughed. "Just you wait. I'll be wearing the captain's hat after your graduation."
I saw Samara gently smile. "I'll be expecting that."
Little did I know, Samuel's desire to be captain was going to be the death of someone.
"Ashley!" Another voice called out to me. Almost in an instant, I turned to the source of the voice, ears already listening.
"Do you want to come with us to the Night Fog Forest?" A girl with jet black hair and warm brown eyes and who I assumed was the same age as Samara, had asked.
The Night Fog Forest was also another term for the underworld, home of the demons - ventifios.
Hearing the name of that place caused me to shiver, the skin on my skin was rising. It was obvious I was scared, but could you judge me? Stepping a foot in the underworld meant your chances of living would decrease to a horrifying fifty percent, and I've only just learned how to wield a gun - I haven't even properly summoned my sole protector yet!
"Um-"
"It's only her first day, Nadia." Samara reasoned out, casting me a worried glance. "Don't you think we should let her get used to all of this first? After all, fighting in the Night Fog Forest is no joke."
Nadia's brown eyes suddenly had fire to them, making it no longer warm but insanely hot. "That's ridiculous! Didn't you hear mister Angelo? She is his daughter. She must be as powerful as him, yes?"
I was a bit flattered that she thought of me as powerful, but I didn't deserve that much credit. "Um-"
I was cut off... Again.
"Oh, never mind, then. I had just recalled..." Nadia's eyes stared down at me. I was intimidated.
"Your mother is normal-blooded. You can't be as powerful as mister Angelo."
Something about that made my blood boil. How dare she bring my mother into this, and underestimating me at the same time?! My mom was innocent and has no idea about this. It wasn't her fault she was a normal person, and it certainly wasn't dad's fault he fell in love with her.
'So, why...?' I gritted my teeth. 'Why are you saying it like she's done something wrong?!'
"Don't ever... Utter my mom again." I glared, standing up from my chair and pushed Nadia back. "And I'll show you... I will be more powerful than my father!"
Samuel and Samara grabbed my arms and pulled me back, whispering words that they hope would calm me down.
Nadia crashed into the wall behind her and coughed from the impact. "Oh my gosh! You may claim that you will be stronger than your dad, but you're a hurtful person, unlike him!"
I stopped struggling under the grasp of the siblings. Her words had delivered such an impact on me... And she knew.
She knew how heavy her words were on my chest. And she took that advantage. "Mister Angelo would never hurt someone, even if they don't return it. But you... I only said the truth and you're losing your mind!"
"I... You..." I couldn't speak properly. I had acted on impulse, I had no proof that she was implying to degrade my mother. And realizing that, I had become the bad guy. It was because I was the only one who knew her intentions.
"I thought you were someone with dignity." Nadia mumbled. "But maybe I was wrong. It seems like mister Angelo had failed to raise someone like that."
"You're wrong..." I shouldn't let anyone discriminate against my family. I shouldn't let anyone talk ill of them. What could I do to do that? The one thing I could do was...
"I'm sorry." I apologized and bowed deeply. Samara and Samuel had let go of me as I did this. "I shouldn't have pushed you. Here." I offered a hand to Nadia.
Although she knew it was fake, Nadia smirked and accepted my hand. She dusted her uniform and spoke to me with taunting eyes. "Pick an attitude, will you? You're confusing. I hope your skills would make up for your lack in being a good daughter."
Nadia walked away, leaving behind a girl with tears in her eyes, and planning to force herself in being perfect just to please everyone and stop the hidden insults hurled at her family.