Chapter 7
Jinn spent the next few days in a blur of recovery and unsettling realization. His body, aided by the Valerius's advanced medical suite and perhaps something else stirring within him, healed at an astonishing rate. The aches and pains faded, leaving him with a strange, almost vibrant energy. But his mind raced, trying to reconcile the ordinary life he'd lost with the extraordinary truth he'd inherited.
He saw Kael often, who was friendly and offered explanations about various aspects of the house, though he often skirted around the bigger, more fantastical questions. Lyra, however, remained distant. She passed him in hallways with a curt nod or an icy glance, her resentment palpable.
It was during one of these silent passages that Jinn finally stopped her. "Lyra, wait," he said, his voice firm. "You said I don't know anything about this world, about our bloodline. You're right. So tell me. Explain it."
Lyra paused, her emerald eyes narrowing, as if weighing his sincerity. After a long moment, she let out a sigh that was almost a huff of impatience. "Fine. But don't expect me to hold your hand. Meet me in the library after lunch. There's a lot to cover."
The Valerius library was a sight to behold—towering shelves of ancient tomes, maps, and artifacts, reaching up to a vaulted ceiling. Lyra was already there, pulling a thick, leather-bound book from a high shelf. She sat at a large, ornate table, spreading out several rolled parchments.
"Alright, listen closely," she began, her tone all business. "What you called 'humans' on Earth are mostly what we call Commoners here. They have very little chance of awakening any unique abilities. Most are just… ordinary. Their bodies are no different from any human's on Earth."
She tapped a parchment, revealing a detailed map of a vast, uncharted continent. "But then there are us. The dominant species of these realms. We are called Aethel." She looked up, her gaze piercing. "Our bodies are inherently stronger, more resilient than Commoners. Our skin is tougher, our senses sharper. And many of us possess what you might call 'special powers'."
"The Aethel population is stratified. Above the Commoners are the Upper Class. These are established, often wealthy families. They have a significantly higher chance of awakening an ability, though the power and uniqueness of these abilities vary greatly. Some Upper Class families do possess unique minor bloodlines – subtle inheritances that give them a slightly stronger affinity for certain types of powers, but nothing as potent as what you might expect."
She then pointed to an intricate family tree on another parchment. "And at the very top are the Royalties. Families whose lineage is so ancient and pure that their members are almost guaranteed to awaken powerful, often elemental or conceptual, abilities. They are the strongest among the Aethel, the pillars of our society."
Jinn listened, trying to absorb the new terminology. "So, where do the 'vampires' fit into all this? And what about my dad?"
Lyra's expression grew serious again. "Your father's bloodline, and by extension, yours, is… different. The stories on Earth call them vampires. Here, we refer to them as the Nocturnus Bloodline. They are one of a handful of ancient, powerful Beast Bloodlines that exist in these realms."
She leaned forward, her voice dropping. "These Beast Bloodlines are tied to primal, formidable creatures that existed long before the Aethel rose to prominence. Unlike the general abilities of the Aethel, these bloodlines manifest unique, highly potent powers that are inherent to their specific 'beast' lineage. For the Nocturnus, it's enhanced strength, speed, regeneration, and the need for… a specific kind of sustenance." Her emerald eyes flickered to his neck for a moment, a subtle implication of his potential future.
"But here's the crucial part," Lyra continued. "These Beast Bloodlines are incredibly rare. Not everyone in the direct line inherits the full power. It's a gamble, depending on how 'strong' the blood is in that individual. For your father, his bloodline was strong enough to manifest, but he suppressed it to live a normal life on Earth. Now, it seems, it has fully awakened in you."
Jinn felt a shiver run down his spine. He was a vampire. An actual, literal vampire. He suddenly understood Lyra's coldness, her underlying fear.
"And there are others like the Nocturnus?" Jinn pressed, intrigued despite the chilling revelation about himself.
Lyra nodded, picking up a scroll that depicted various creatures. "Yes. There are roughly eight major Beast Bloodlines that we know of, each tied to a different primal force. The Lycanthos Bloodline, tied to the moon and shapeshifting; the Draconis Bloodline, with control over fire and draconic forms; the Seraphim Bloodline, connected to light and healing; the Leviathan Bloodline, masters of water and crushing force; the Terra Bloodline, with immense earth manipulation; the Aether Bloodline, who wield pure energy; the Umbra Bloodline, tied to shadows and illusions; and of course, the Nocturnus, like you, tied to the night and life force."
"These Beast Bloodlines rarely mix with the Aethel. They are often solitary, powerful, and sometimes, dangerous. Historically, they were a source of great conflict." Lyra's expression grew grim. "That's where the Bloodline Academy comes in."
She pointed to an illustration of a majestic, fortified structure carved into a mountain. "Centuries ago, the realms were plunged into chaos. The various Beast Bloodlines, along with powerful, rogue Aethel, clashed constantly. Lives were lost, cities crumbled. It was a time of endless war. Until a hero emerged—Aurelion, the Luminary. He possessed a rare, pure Seraphim Bloodline, and he believed that true power lay not in destruction, but in control and cooperation."
"Aurelion fought tirelessly, not to eradicate the Beast Bloodlines, but to bring balance. He challenged the most volatile among them, proving that unchecked power only led to ruin. He established the concept of the Academy, a neutral ground where all Aethel, and even those with Beast Bloodlines, could learn to control their gifts, to understand their place in the world, and to protect the fragile peace he forged."
"The Academy was built by the combined might of Aurelion and the first great Aethel Royalties. It stands as a beacon of order, teaching discipline, combat, and diplomacy. It's where those with awakened abilities hone their craft, regardless of their origin, though Beast Bloodline individuals are closely monitored due to their immense potential—and danger." Lyra finished, her gaze firm. "That's what this place is. And now, you're a part of it."
Jinn sat in stunned silence, the weight of her words settling over him. He was a Nocturnus. A vampire. And this entire, complex world, filled with other powerful bloodlines and a history of ancient wars, was now his reality. He looked at Lyra, a new understanding dawning in his eyes. Her initial hostility made more sense now. She wasn't just hostile; she was wary, and perhaps, a little scared of what he represented.
He touched the amulet beneath his shirt, its cool metal a tangible link to a power he was only just beginning to comprehend. The stories, the myths, they were all real. And he was caught right in the middle of them.