Maybe you'll learn to stay quiet in your next life..."

"Death is merely the closing of a chapter..."

"Eternity can be a long, long time spent in torment..."

The phrases echo through his mind, taunting him. Faces blur and morph in the shadows of his dreams—sneering, twisted visages that watch him with hollow eyes.

Xavier’s breath quickens as the dream shifts, pulling him deeper into its clutches. Cold hands reach out for him, grasping at his limbs, their touch like ice burning against his skin.

The darkness wraps itself around him, a suffocating blanket that presses down on his chest, filling his lungs with dread. He tries to scream, to push the terror away, but no sound escapes his lips.

Xavier’s eyes snap open. He bolts upright in bed, his body drenched in sweat. The room is lit, but the visions from his nightmare linger, haunting the corners of his mind.

"Someone's had a bad night," a male voice mockingly jokes from the side of his bed. Xavier, jumping in fright again, backs up to the wall against which his bed is set up.

"Calm down, I'm not gonna eat'cha...yet~," the voice continues, this time with a playful, almost teasing lilt. Xavier’s eyes dart to the source of the voice—a young man with a relaxed posture, lounging casually at the foot of his bed. He has tousled brown hair that falls into his eyes, which gleam with a mischievous light. The man’s Southern drawl is unmistakable, a smooth, lazy cadence that makes his words almost musical.

Despite the suddenness of his appearance, Xavier feels an odd sense of relief. This man, though clearly a vampire, doesn’t radiate the same aura of menace as the others he has encountered. There is something different about him, something...disarming.

"Who—who are you?" Xavier stammers, trying to regain some semblance of composure.

The man grins, his teeth just a little too sharp, but his smile is warm enough to put Xavier slightly at ease. "Name's Jackson Campbell," he says, leaning back on his elbows. "But cuties like you get to call me Jack, sugar."

Xavier blinks, trying to process the man’s overly familiar tone. "I’m Xavier...I think you might already know that," he replies, still a bit wary.

"Sure do," Jackson says, his grin widening. "Word gets around fast in this place. Especially when fresh meat’s involved~," he winks, his tone dripping with innuendo.

Xavier swallows hard, not sure how to respond. Jackson’s flirtatious demeanor is unexpected, and it leaves him feeling off-balance, though not entirely threatened.

"Fresh meat?" Xavier echoes, his voice more annoyed than scared.

"Yup," Jackson drawls, his eyes gleaming as he looks Xavier up and down. "And I gotta say, you ain’t disappointing. Thought I’d come check out the new arrival myself. Welcome to the fold, darlin’."

Xavier shifts uncomfortably under Jackson’s gaze, but there is no malice in it—just curiosity and a hint of something more playful.

Jackson chuckles at Xavier’s unease. "Relax, sugar. I ain’t gonna bite...unless you ask real nice."

Xavier flushes, not sure if Jackson is joking or if there is more truth to his words than he wants to believe. "Why are you here?" he asks, trying to steer the conversation away from the teasing.

Jackson shrugs, his grin softening into something more genuine. "Figured I’d come introduce myself since we’re gonna be spending a lot of time together. Today’s your first day of vampiric education, and guess what? Yours truly is gonna show you the ropes."

Xavier’s eyes widen slightly. "You’re...teaching me?"

Jackson laughs, a rich, warm sound that echoes in the room. "Something like that. I’m starting today too, just like you. I’ve been around since ’03, but us youngins take years before we're allowed into the academy, y’know?" He leans in a little closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Besides, I figured you could use a friendly face after all the scary ones you’ve met. The hottie on top must've given you a good scare, didn't she?"

"You could say that," Xavier replies, his voice tinged with unease as he recalls the burning sensation that courses through his veins when she touches him. He shivers involuntarily. "But I’ve only been a 'Vampire' for... two days?" he questions, the realization settling in that time has lost all meaning since his transformation.

Jackson’s eyes widen in genuine surprise. "Two days? You’re kidding me!" He shakes his head in disbelief, taking a step back as if to get a better look at Xavier. "Damn, I knew you were fresh meat, but not this fresh."

Xavier frowns, unsure of what to make of Jackson’s reaction. "What’s the big deal?" he asks, the unease in his gut growing stronger.

Jackson runs a hand through his messy brown hair, his expression shifting from surprise to concern. "Listen, most of us don’t even get close to the academy until we’ve had years—sometimes decades—to adjust. We gotta prove we’re stable, that we can handle the...changes, y’know?" He looks Xavier up and down, as if reevaluating him. "But you’re being thrown into the deep end after just two days? That’s... unheard of."

Xavier swallows hard, the weight of Jackson’s words sinking in. "So, what does that mean for me?"

Jackson sighs, his playful demeanor softening into something more serious. "It means you’re in for one rough time, sugar. They’re testing you—harder than anyone else I’ve heard of. All I can say is, keep your head down, follow the rules, and don’t give anyone a reason to make your life harder than it’s already gonna be."

Xavier nods slowly, the gravity of his situation pressing down on him like a suffocating blanket. "Got it. Keep my head down."

"Exactly," Jackson says, clapping Xavier on the shoulder with a reassuring smile. "And hey, at least you’ve got me to help you through it. I’ll do what I can to make sure you don’t get chewed up and spit out on your first day."

Xavier manages a small, grateful smile, even as anxiety gnaws at the edges of his mind. "Thanks, Jack. I appreciate it."

"Anytime, darlin’," Jackson replies with a wink. "Now let’s get moving. We don’t want to be late on your first day, do we? The academy’s tough enough without getting on the wrong side of the instructors."

With that, Jackson leads the way out of the room, and Xavier follows, steeling himself for whatever challenges lie ahead. He knows the road ahead will be anything but easy, but at least, for now, he isn’t facing it alone.

As they walk through the dimly lit corridors, Xavier can't help but glance around, taking in the strange, gothic architecture of the place that is now his new reality. His thoughts swirl with a mix of anxiety, curiosity, and confusion. He decides to break the silence that has fallen between them.

"Hey, Jack," Xavier begins, his voice tentative. "How does this whole vampire thing actually work? I mean, I barely know anything, and everything seems so... different."

Jackson chuckles softly, glancing over at Xavier with a smirk. "I figured you’d be full of questions. There’s a lot to take in, but I’ll give you the basics. So, there are a few different races that fall under the vampire umbrella. You’ve got your standard Vampires—those with pure vampire blood. They’re the old school, traditional types, born from ancient bloodlines doing some good ol' fashioned babymakin'!"

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Xavier sighs and nods, trying to absorb the information as they continue walking. "Okay, so what else is there?"

"Then there’s us," Jackson says, gesturing to himself. "The Succubi and Incubi—vampires whose blood is intertwined with that of demons. We’ve got a bit of extra flair, you could say. There are also the Nosferatu, an older race with a more monstrous appearance, much closer to the legends of vampires you might’ve heard about. They’re mad powerful, but most tend to stick to the shadows, away from the spotlight."

Xavier listens intently, feeling like he is finally starting to get a grasp on the strange world he’s been thrust into. "What about you? How did you end up as an Incubus?"

Jackson’s grin widens, and there’s a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Ah, that’s a bit of a story. You see, the person who turns you determines what kind of vampire you’ll become. I’m turned by an Incubus, so naturally, I become one too. It’s a little different for everyone, depending on who—or what—gets their fangs in you."

Xavier raises an eyebrow, curious about the details. "So, how does it happen? How do you get turned?"

Jackson lets out a lighthearted laugh, clearly enjoying the conversation. "Oh, my story? It’s got its charm, alright. I’m just a regular guy back in 2003. One night, during a full moon, I decide to... request the presence of an Incubus. Yeah, that’s right, I call for one. I don’t think it will actually work, but lo and behold, in the middle of the night, one appears right in my room."

Xavier can’t help but smirk at Jackson’s casual recounting of such a story. "And then what? I assume it doesn’t end there."

"Definitely not," Jackson replies with a wink. "I’ll spare you the spicy details, but let’s just say things get... intense. Normally, an Incubus or Succubus would kill their partner after, uh, passionate activities, but I’m not ready to go out like that. So, I beg him to turn me instead. We make a deal, and the next thing I know, I’m waking up a vampire. He vanishes into the night, leaving me to figure out my new life on my own."

Xavier’s expression softens a bit as he listens. "Guess we’ve both got our own strange paths to this place. I know Silva for a few years before it happens, but the night I get turned... it’s because I dig too deep into my research. I figure out something I shouldn’t have, and I guess Silva decides it’s time to... initiate me."

Jackson nods, his expression turning more serious for a moment. "Sugar, Incubi can tell when ya lie."

Xavier freezes for a moment, his breath catching in his throat. The Incubus’s sharp gaze bores into him, a mix of curiosity and caution in those intense eyes.

"Lie?" Xavier stammers, trying to maintain his composure.

Jackson crosses his arms, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Yeah, lie. Don’t think you can pull one over on me, sugar. Us Incubi, we’ve got a knack for pickin’ up on when someone’s stretchin’ the truth. You might fool the others, but not me."

Xavier hesitates, the weight of the truth pressing down on him. He doesn’t want to reveal everything, especially not about how Silva hasn’t turned him. But he realizes that hiding things from Jackson isn’t going to work.

"I don’t exactly tell the truth about who turns me," Xavier admits, his voice barely above a whisper. "There’s more to it, but I’m not ready to talk about it yet."

Jackson’s expression softens, his tone losing its edge. "Fair ’nough, Xavier. We’ve all got our secrets, and I ain’t gonna push ya if you’re not ready. Just know that honesty goes a long way in a place like this. Lies, well... they’ve got a way of bitin’ ya back."

Xavier nods, appreciating the unexpected understanding from Jackson. "I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for not 'pushin’.'"

Jackson, chuckling at the imitation, replies playfully.

"Don’t mention it," Jackson replies with a wink, his playful demeanor returning. "Just be careful, alright? This place eats up secrets like candy, and if you’re not careful, they’ll come back to haunt ya. And that ain’t a figure of speech."

With that, Jackson turns back toward the corridor, motioning for Xavier to follow. As they walk, Xavier feels a strange sense of relief wash over him. He’s not ready to spill everything just yet, but at least he knows he can trust Jackson a bit more than he initially thought.

"So, what exactly is this 'Academy' like?" Xavier asks, glancing at Jackson. "I mean, it sounds like it’s more than just a school."

Jackson grins, clearly enjoying the opportunity to enlighten Xavier. "Oh, it’s much more than just a school, darlin’. The Academy’s been around for centuries, and it’s where all of us learn the ropes, no matter what family we’re from. Each family’s got their own color, and ours is pink—though I gotta say, it’s bold for my taste." He sarcastically says, giving Xavier a wink.

Xavier raises an eyebrow. "A color? What’s that about?"

"Every family’s got one," Jackson explains. "It’s like a badge of honor or somethin’. You’ll see it everywhere—on the uniforms, the banners, even on the seals of the documents. Shows where you belong, where your loyalty lies."

"And the ranks?" Xavier asks, "The Countess tells me about how we're the lowest family."

"Ah, now that’s where things get interestin’," Jackson says, his tone becoming more serious. "Your starting rank is influenced by the family you come from, but it ain’t set in stone. See, what really matters is how you handle the subjects they throw at ya and the scores you get. The better you do, the higher you climb."

Xavier nods, trying to take it all in. "And these ranks… they can change?"

"Yep," Jackson confirms, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Duels are held every month to determine who’s movin’ up and who’s gettin’ knocked down. But if you’re feelin’ particularly gutsy, you can always challenge someone outside of the regular duels. It’s a dog-eat-dog world, but that’s what makes it fun."

Xavier can’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and apprehension. The idea of dueling to climb ranks is thrilling, but it also adds a layer of pressure he isn’t sure he’s ready for. "And what happens if you lose at the end of the month?"

Jackson shrugs nonchalantly. "You drop a rank, maybe two, dependin’ on how bad the beatin’ is. But you won’t lose everything. It’s all about learnin’ from your mistakes and gettin’ stronger. No one stays at the bottom forever, unless they give up."

Xavier nods, absorbing the information. But a nagging thought crosses his mind. "What happens if you lose a duel outside of the monthly ones?"

Jackson’s expression darkens, the playful glint in his eyes fading. "You die."

Xavier stops in his tracks, his breath catching in his throat. "You die? And the Academy just… allows that?"

Jackson turns to face him, his tone matter-of-fact. "They don’t just allow it, they expect it. It’s survival of the fittest here, darlin’. If you ain’t strong enough to survive, then they figure you ain’t worth keepin’ around."

Xavier’s blood runs cold at the thought. He has known this place is dangerous, but he hasn’t realized just how ruthless it truly is. "And the families, they’re okay with this?"

Jackson nods, his expression serious. "Yeah, they are. For them, it’s all about strength and power. They want to weed out the weak, and this is how they do it. You’ve gotta be on your toes all the time, ’cause you never know when someone might decide to challenge you."

Xavier swallows hard, the reality of his situation sinking in even deeper. The Academy is more than just a place of learning; it’s a battlefield, and only the strongest will survive. But despite the fear gnawing at his insides, he knows he has to keep going. There’s no turning back now...

As they approach the grand, imposing structure, Xavier’s eyes are drawn to the large sign above the entrance. The name “INFINEBULA” is etched in elaborate, ancient script, glowing faintly against the silver stone. The building itself is a gothic marvel, with towering spires and intricate carvings that seem to shift and change in the dim light.

Xavier frowns, puzzled by the unfamiliar word. "INFINEBULA... What language is this?"

Jackson grins, clearly enjoying the chance to explain. "That, sugar, is 'vampire-speak'. It’s our own language, developed centuries ago. You’ll have to learn it as one of the subjects here. Understanding it is key to understanding a lot about our world."

Xavier nods, intrigued but also slightly daunted by the prospect. Learning an entire new language on top of everything else seems like a monumental task, but he knows he doesn’t have much of a choice.

They step inside the building, and the interior is even more imposing than the exterior. Dark, polished marble floors stretch out beneath ornate chandeliers that cast a soft, eerie light across the vast hallway. The walls are lined with portraits of stern-looking figures, all with the same cold, calculating eyes that Xavier has seen in many of the vampires he’s encountered so far.

As they walk further into the building, the air grows heavy with an almost tangible sense of power. Suddenly, a voice booms through the halls, deep yet charming:

"The first monthly duels will commence... today. Prepare yourselves."

The voice echoes ominously, and the words linger in the air like a thunderclap. Xavier feels a chill run down his spine, the weight of the announcement settling over him like a heavy cloak. He turns to Jackson, expecting to see his usual laid-back expression, but is surprised to find a mixture of shock and excitement lighting up his features.

"Well, I’ll be damned," Jackson mutters, his eyes wide with a thrill Xavier hasn’t seen before. "Didn’t expect ‘em to start this quick."

Jackson’s grin widens, his earlier nonchalance replaced with a buzzing energy. "Looks like we’re really gonna be thrown into the deep end, huh? This is gonna be one hell of a first day."

Xavier’s nerves flare, but seeing Jackson’s enthusiasm is oddly reassuring. If Jackson, with all his bravado, is excited rather than scared, maybe there’s a chance this won’t be as terrifying as it sounds. Then again, the underlying tension in Jackson’s voice hints that the stakes are higher than ever.

"Stay close to me, Xavier," Jackson adds, his tone serious now. "Things are about to get real intense, and you’ll want to keep your wits about you. First duels are always the most unpredictable."