Artemis adjusted the strap of her messenger bag as she stepped onto the train platform. The station was alive with the rhythmic hum of locomotives, the distant chatter of passengers, and the occasional echo of an announcement overhead. The air carried the scent of metal and damp concrete, mingled with the aroma of fresh pastries from a nearby kiosk. A strange mixture of excitement and anxiety churned in her stomach as she took her first steps toward an entirely new life.


    Evelyn stood beside her, her copper-toned hair pulled back into a loose braid, concern evident in her hazel eyes. “Are you sure about this?” she asked, placing a gentle hand on Artemis’s shoulder.


    Artemis took a steadying breath. “I have to be. If I stay, I put everyone in danger.”


    Daniel shifted beside them, arms crossed, his face lined with worry. “Just promise us you’ll be careful. And call when you can.”


    “I promise,” she assured them, forcing a small smile. “I’ll be okay.”


    Evelyn pulled her into a tight hug. “I love you, sweetheart. No matter what happens, remember that.”


    Artemis swallowed the lump in her throat as she nodded. “I love you too, Mom.”


    The sharp whistle of the train signaled its impending departure. With a final squeeze of her mother’s hand, she turned and boarded. The interior was dimly lit, the soft glow of overhead lights casting elongated shadows across the rows of plush seats. She walked down the narrow aisle, glancing around for a place to sit.


    Her gaze landed on an open seat beside two students who seemed as out of place as she felt. One was a boy with tan skin and long, flowing blonde hair, his intense golden-orange eyes holding a glint of mischief. He wore a black sweatshirt, ripped jeans, and a dark grey beanie, with a pair of black Vans on his feet. Beside him sat a girl with tawny-colored skin, striking, almond-shaped, mint-green eyes, and long, flowy light beige hair cascading over her shoulders. Her features bore a resemblance to Native American heritage, with high cheekbones, a softly defined jawline, and a slightly upturned nose. She wore a light brown shirt under a green plaid overshirt, paired with black pants and black Converse. She leaned against the window, absentmindedly twirling a mint-colored bracelet around her wrist.


    “Hey there,” the boy greeted with a wide grin. “Need a seat?”


    Artemis nodded hesitantly. “Yeah, thanks.”


    She slid into the seat, setting her bag down. The boy extended a hand. “I’m Cyrus Aelius, the new Apollo, god of the sun, music, and all things cool.” He winked. “And this is Lydia Swan.”


    Lydia rolled her eyes but smirked. “Demeter, goddess of the harvest,” she said, her voice warm.


    Artemis hesitated for a moment before shaking Cyrus’s hand. “Artemis Blake.”


    Lydia arched a brow. “Like Headmaster Blake?”


    Artemis exhaled, offering a wry smile. “Yeah. He’s my dad.”


    Cyrus let out a low whistle. “No pressure, huh?”


    Artemis chuckled despite herself. “None at all.”


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    Before their conversation could continue, the atmosphere in the train car shifted. The air grew heavy, as if a storm were brewing just beyond the windows. The lights flickered briefly, casting eerie shadows along the walls. The subtle hum of conversation among other students quieted, replaced with an uneasy silence.


    The doors at the far end of the car slid open, and in walked a tall, pale young man with a presence that sent an almost imperceptible hush through the space. His rose-red hair, long and thick with a natural wave, cascaded past his shoulders, framing a face that was both arresting and enigmatic. His features were sharply defined—high cheekbones, a well-sculpted jawline, and a straight, narrow nose. But it was his eyes that held Artemis captive.


    Almond-shaped with slightly upturned corners, his gaze carried a feline elegance, mysterious and unnervingly intense. The irises burned with an otherworldly fire—gold flaring around the pupils, fading into a deep, hellish crimson toward the edges. Long, thick lashes framed his eyes, casting delicate shadows against his porcelain-pale skin, making his gaze all the more haunting. Dark circles lingered beneath his eyes, not in a way that made him look tired, but as if he carried the weight of something unseen.


    His build was lean yet athletic, his movements fluid and effortless, exuding quiet strength. He was dressed in dark clothing that struck the perfect balance between trendy and sophisticated—an elegantly tailored black coat that swept past his knees, left open to reveal a fitted turtleneck beneath. Silver zippers and subtle embroidery wove understated patterns into the fabric, catching the dim light as he moved. His slim black trousers hugged his frame just enough to suggest an agile form, and his polished leather boots made little sound against the train’s floor.


    There was something undeniably magnetic about him, a quiet intensity that didn’t demand attention but effortlessly commanded it. Artemis felt a stir of curiosity deep in her chest, an inexplicable pull toward him. He was a contradiction—cold yet strikingly alluring, distant yet impossible to ignore. Who was he? And why did it feel as if, just by stepping into the same space, he had shifted something in the air?


    Following closely behind him was a girl with soft, pale pink hair that cascaded down her back, swaying with each eager step she took. Her bright pinkish-red eyes, wide and doe-like, sparkled with excitement as she clung to his hand, practically pulling him forward. She wore a long-sleeve white shirt with delicate, hidden flower designs along the fabric, layered beneath a pink-and-white plaid dress. A matching plaid beret sat atop her head, adorned with a dainty flower pin that shimmered subtly in the light. Her delicate frame and playful energy made her presence feel as bright and refreshing as a spring morning.


    “Come on, you’re so slow!” she huffed playfully, tightening her grip on his hand as she dragged him along. Despite their clear differences, there was an undeniable sibling bond between them—her vibrant enthusiasm clashing yet blending perfectly with his more subdued presence.


    Ahead of them, a student with light blue hair stood near the back of the train, waving them over with an easygoing grin. The sight of him only made the girl more eager, her steps quickening as she practically pulled her brother toward their waiting friend.


    As he passed, his golden-red eyes met Artemis’s. For a fleeting moment, time seemed to freeze. There was something about him—something dark, yet sad. It was as if his very presence demonstrated the weight he was carrying.


    Then, as quickly as the moment came, it was gone. He looked away and continued toward the back.


    Artemis let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.


    Cyrus leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. “That guy… Ren Vangelis.”


    Lydia nodded solemnly. “And his sister, Sakura. Their story is… tragic.”


    Artemis glanced back toward them, watching as Sakura laughed at something the blue-haired student said while Ren sat stiffly beside her, staring out the window.


    “They don’t talk about it much,” Lydia continued. “Their mother was part of some huge family empire—rich, powerful. But something happened, and their parents…” She trailed off, shaking her head. “It was a murder-suicide. Their aunt took them in after that.”


    Cyrus frowned. “Ren doesn’t talk to many people. Keeps to himself. But there’s something… different about him. I don’t know what it is, but it’s like he carries a dark aura around him.”


    The train rumbled forward, gaining speed as the world outside blurred into motion. Artemis shifted in her seat, her thoughts lingering on Ren. She wondered if she would meet more people like that when she arrived at the academy.