Russ sat on the rooftop of the academy's east tower, legs dangling off the edge. The city below hummed with distant chatter, neon signs flickering like lazy stars. But his world felt still, heavy with the weight of what had happened. The fight against the rogue vampire had revealed something terrifying—and exhilarating—within him.
The Void answered him.
And it was beginning to whisper more clearly.
"Found you."
Russ didn't need to turn. The voice belonged to Nova, her presence subtle as always despite the mechanical hum from her cybernetic limbs.
"You're not good at lying low," she said, taking a seat beside him.
"Didn't know I had to," Russ replied, eyes fixed on a flying transport whizzing across the skyline. "Figured everyone would be too busy talking about the guy I almost vaporized."
Nova exhaled sharply, not quite a laugh. "You left a crater. That kind of thing gets attention."
Russ remained silent. The Void energy within him was still stirring—quiet now, but undeniably there. It had saved his life. But at what cost?
Nova tilted her head. "You've changed."
"I didn't ask for this."
"No one ever does."
They sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of unspoken truths filling the space between them. Then Nova leaned closer.
"There's a reason why I followed you that day in the arena," she said. "Your movements… they weren't instinctual. They were learned. Inherited. Like you'd done it before."
Russ narrowed his eyes. "You think I've fought like that in another life?"
"I think you're more like your father than you want to admit."
He flinched at the name.
Quinn Talen.
People whispered it like a prayer—or a curse. But Russ? He had only memories carved from old photos and cryptic stories. His father was a myth, a ghost lingering in every shadow Russ tried to escape.
"What if I don't want to be him?"
Nova stood. "Then don't be. But don't pretend you don't have his blood. The Void doesn't choose lightly."
Russ looked down at his hand, watching a faint black shimmer ripple across his skin before vanishing.
The Void doesn't choose lightly…
Before he could respond, a small drone zipped toward them, blinking red. It hovered, scanning their faces before a distorted voice projected through its speaker.
"Russ Talen. Report to Headmaster Vexim's chamber. Immediately."
Nova and Russ exchanged glances.
"Think they're gonna expel me?" he muttered.
Nova smirked. "I think they're going to ask you what the hell you are."
---
The Headmaster's chamber was eerily silent. Dimly lit, ancient books floated around lazily like sentries. Vexim, a tall man draped in robes interwoven with glowing symbols, stood with his back turned, staring into a hovering pool of Voidlight.
"You're different," he said as Russ entered. "The system in you… it's not a standard one. It's not even registered."
Russ clenched his fists. "I didn't choose it."
"No," Vexim turned. His violet eyes glowed faintly. "But it chose you. And that makes you very dangerous… and very important."
Russ didn't answer.
Vexim stepped forward. "The original Void System was sealed centuries ago. Your father touched it—controlled it—but never unlocked its full potential. You… you may be its true heir."
Heir of the Void.
The words rang in Russ's mind like a curse.
"What happens now?" Russ asked.
Vexim smiled grimly. "Now? We test your limits."