The sky over Blue Star dimmed into hues of orange and bruised purple as Alex boarded the last shuttle from Central District. He found a spot by the window, resting his cheek against the cold pane as neon lights blurred past. His bag sat heavy in his lap, half-filled with the unsold items he couldn't bear to part with.
A muted newscast flickered from the seatback display in front of him. The anchor, a polished woman with silver-rimmed glasses and a calm tone, spoke over a looping video montage of glowing figures soaring through city skies and streets erupting with power.
"Today marks the 100th anniversary of the first global Awakening event. Since then, over 30% of Blue Star's population has manifested supernatural abilities ranging from elemental control to enhanced strength and regeneration. Most Awakenings are bloodline-based, though rare cases continue to emerge through unknown triggers..."
Alex stared at the screen. He'd grown up in the shadow of that world powerful heroes on billboards, elite academies training the gifted, and secret wars that the public only heard about after the smoke cleared.
And then there were people like him. Normal. Powerless.
The shuttle glided past a billboard: a brooding man with glowing blue eyes, lightning arcing between his fingers. "Awaken Your Potential: Apply to Sovereign Academy Today!"
Alex looked down, his fingers brushing the star-shaped pendant tucked beneath his shirt. Cold. Solid. A gift from a family he could barely remember. The only thing truly his.
He arrived at the orphanage just after sunset. The building stood quiet under flickering street lamps, its walls worn by time but sturdy as ever. The younger kids were asleep, and the matron gave him a tired nod from the hallway.
He collapsed into bed without dinner.
The next day passed in a haze. His limbs ached, and his thoughts felt fogged, like he hadn't slept at all. He barely stirred until the sun was low again. Hunger gnawed at him, but stronger was the weight of nostalgia.
He grabbed his jacket and wandered into the dusky streets of the neighborhood he grew up in. Familiar corners. Faded murals. The rusted fence where he used to sneak out after lights-out. The world had changed, but these cracks in the city stayed the same.
A small noodle stand near the corner alley was still open. He ordered something cheap and hot, pocketing the receipt as he waited.
Then it happened.
Thunder cracked, splitting the quiet. The air turned thick and electric. Rain slammed down without warning, soaking the streets in seconds. Alex ducked under the nearest overhang, a side alley tucked between two abandoned warehouses.
That's when he saw her.
A figure stumbled into view half-collapsed, soaked to the bone. Her cloak clung to her like shadow, and her long, snow-white hair was streaked with blood. Her skin, deathly pale, seemed to glow faintly in the dimness, and her eyes—red, luminous, hungry locked onto him.
Alex froze.
The woman dropped to her knees, panting. Lightning flashed, illuminating her elegant, unnatural face. Her lips were stained crimson. She was wounded—deep gashes across her abdomen, dark blood seeping through her tattered clothes.
She looked up at him with something feral… then desperate.
"I... need…" she rasped.
Then she was on him.
Her speed defied sense. Before he could move, her arms were around him, her cold breath on his neck. He tried to shout, but it died in his throat. Pain flared—sharp and paralyzing—as her fangs sank into his skin.
His vision blurred.
She drank.
But not for long.
She pulled away suddenly, staring at him as if struck. Her red eyes narrowed, uncertain.
"You..." she whispered. Her voice was silk wrapped in steel. "You're too beautiful to waste."
Then the vampire girl stood, wavering. Rain poured around them. Her blood dripped from her side, and as she turned to leave, a few droplets splashed onto his lips.
Alex coughed, sputtering as he tried to rise. One of her blood drops slipped into his mouth.
Then everything exploded.
Lightning. A crack like the sky itself had broken open.
His veins burned. His mind seared with light and sound. The star-shaped pendant at his chest pulsed once—brilliantly—before going dark again.
He collapsed to the soaked pavement, eyes rolling back as the rain swallowed the world.