Ashes and Stripes

I step out from the government-assigned black car and stare at the towering building in front of me. The black letters — Velmora Academy — glare at me across the massive iron gate, screaming elegance and opulence even before I set foot inside.

This place is definitely not for me. But I have no choice. In this world demi-humans walk amongst humans, sharing the Earth in a fragile balance. The demi-human appearance started centuries ago, the first birth sparking outrage in the human community, and when more seemed to be born we were gradually accepted.

Academies in each country were set up specifically for demi-humans and attendance was compulsory. To keep track of us maybe? But I had been home schooled all my life. A demi-demon. My parents did not want me out in the world. I hadn't understood then why, and i hadn't cared. They cared for me. Loved me. I had a great childhood and they helped me understand my powers. I didn't care that they didn't have powers and I did. I just loved them.

Then two months ago they died. Both of them at the same time. A mysterious double death that turned my whole life upside down. I had gotten up, made breakfast and had knocked on their door to surprise them with breakfast in bed like I often did, only to find them cold. Unresponsive.

Then came the government officials. Men dressed in sharp suits, they took my information , and then seeing that I was not officially a registered demi-human they made quick work to get me into their system. I had no time to grieve, my parents buried in a small ceremony which was attended by myself, the priest and two government officials that were there to ensure i didn't run away. And then they shoved me in this damn car and drove me here to Velmora Academy.

I watched as the car took off, it had been a long drive and the sun was setting. I then turned my attention to the surrounding thick forest. I could just run. Nobody would care. I sighed. But there was nowhere to run to. The government had sold our house and put the money in an account under my name to - and I quote - 'use whenever I needed it, since I wont be coming back to that house, I don't need to keep it.'

I entered through the gates, my black boots crunching against the gravel. I eyed the place. Few students were scattered across the grounds. I knew they were students because they were all wearing the same deep purple and black uniform. Well at least the colours were not bad.

I got some curious glances as I walked up to the main building. I forced myself to look forward. There were so many kinds of demi-humans here i felt out of my depth. I had never been around so many.

The academy loomed before me like an ancient castle pulled straight from the pages of a forgotten fairy tale — all sharp towers and heavy black stone, its shadow stretching across the courtyard like a living thing. Soft, golden lights glowed from the arched windows, chasing away the falling dusk but not the feeling that this place held secrets in its very bones.

Heavy oak doors guarded with runes I couldn't understand guarded the entrance, I pushed against them and they were surprisingly light. I stepped in, immediately to be greeted by a massive woman. Well she was demi-human...but what was the animal part? Bison? She had two protruding horns from her forehead, long brown hair and heavy hooves. Her smile was kind. And that was enough for me.

"You must be Beau!" She smiled and I immediately felt drawn to her. Like I did to my mother. I swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat.

I nodded at her not able to trust my voice just yet. She took my nod for shyness and pulled me close to her. I held my duffel bag tighter against me and followed as she led me towards a hallways. Inside looked even bigger than the outside. If that was possible.

There was a mixture of modernity to the old that confused my head because the flat screens that were placed between the old stone columns should not look like they belonged there...but they did. There was a grand staircase that led to the upstairs, and to the left I could hear a lot of chattering coming from behind two huge closed doors.

"That's the dining room. Dinner will be served in about 30 minutes and students here are always so hungry." The bison lady said to me as she noticed my wandering eyes. I nodded again.

The first thing I noticed about the interior was the smell — faintly floral, almost like lavender and cedar-wood with an underlying warmth, as if the place itself was breathing. A place that should have felt cold and imposing, instead gave off a sense of quiet comfort, despite its ancient stone walls.

The walls were made of large, weathered stone, but they were smooth, polished even, as if the centuries of history here had been carefully preserved. Here and there, high, arched windows let in the fading light of dusk, their glass reflecting the world outside in fractured patterns. They were framed with dark wood that almost blended seamlessly into the stone. The low hum of magic seemed to vibrate through the floors, but it wasn’t unsettling — more like the pulse of life in the building itself.

In contrast to the ancient stone, there were sleek black flat-screens embedded into the walls here and there, with a slight hum of technology, displaying class schedules or school notices. Small signs, clearly enchanted, floated above the doors to different areas of the academy, glowing softly with light. Their elegance didn’t take away from the overall vintage charm but rather complemented it, blending into the stone as if they were part of it, and not a foreign addition.

The temperature inside was warm — warmer than I would’ve expected from a place that was made mostly of stone. The air didn’t feel stifling, but soft, as if the walls themselves absorbed the cold and held it away. The floor beneath my boots was smooth, polished marble, and it radiated a subtle heat, almost like a magic-infused warmth.

The low hum of voices from the dining room filled the air, their laughter and chatter a contrast to the stillness around me. I could almost hear the flickering of magical flames in the hearths that lined the hallways, filling the space with an inviting glow and the smell of wood and fire.

As I followed her through the hall, the stone columns rose high above us, supporting the tall ceiling, yet the air felt lighter than I imagined it would be in such an old place. Even with the grandness of the building, there was a sense of balance here — the old and the new working in harmony, like a living thing that had grown over centuries but was still adapting to the needs of today.

She took me to what i presume is her office. The chair she sat it was large to accommodate her frame, the wood looked thick and ancient, just like her desk. On the walls were some framed certificates and pictures of her and groups of demi-humans. The office was cozy and colorful with green plants scattered all about.

"Please take a seat Beau." She said and I mentally kicked myself for looking like an idiot gaping at her office when she had sat down already. I quickly took the seat opposite her. "My name is Miss Elegrine. I'm the school counselor, I also handle the front office and I'm in charge of all admin for the school." She said patiently. I nodded again. Gosh girl say something.

"I'm so sorry." I say. "I'm a bit nervous, i don't know anything about this school. I was just thrust here....i haven't even been around so many demi-humans before."

Miss Elegrine smiled brightly at me. "Its alright love." She said. "I'm here to help you with the school bit." She leaned forward a little, her warm gaze making me feel like she was genuinely trying to ease my nerves, "So this school is a sanctuary for all demi-humans. It's here to make sure you get a proper education and help integrate you into society as well as learn more about your powers. We set you up in a tribe and you get your footing from there."

"Tribe?" I asked.

"Yes, dear, the tribes are how we categorize the different types of demi-humans. It helps keep things organized, especially with the diversity we have here. Let me explain..." She hands me an electronic tablet and on the screen displayed a hierarchy of the tribes.

"The students here are divided into four tribes based on their animal affinities, and each tribe has its own set of classes and specialized training programs. For example, the Cat Tribe includes all demi-humans with feline characteristics—lions, tigers, cheetahs, and so on. They focus on agility, stealth, and enhanced senses. The Water Tribe is made up of those who have aquatic traits, like mermaids, selkies, and even sharks. Their classes revolve around water manipulation, swimming techniques, and marine magic."

I was trying to picture it in my head. This was so different from the quiet life I’d had with my parents. There were so many demi-humans! I mean i knew there were others different from me but..this...my mind was exploding.

She continued, "We also have the Sky Tribe, which is for demi-humans with avian characteristics. They focus on flight, weather manipulation, and aerial combat. Then, there's the Earth Tribe — for demi-humans like golem, boar, bison, bears dryads etc or those with a strong connection to nature. Their classes cover geomancy, plant magic, and even physical endurance training."

I nodded along, absorbing the information, but then something nagged at me. “So… where do I fall?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Miss Elegrine paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly with thought. "Well, Beau, you're a bit of an unusual case." She took a deep breath before continuing. "You see, you’re the first Demi-Demon we’ve ever had here at Velmora Academy."

"The first?" I echoed, unsure whether that was a compliment or a curse.

She nodded. "Yes. We’ve never had a student with your lineage before. Demons are...rare. Your abilities and your nature aren’t quite like any other tribe here. So, after a lot of discussions, the school board has decided it would be best for you not to join any of the established tribes. It could cause confusion, especially considering the unique nature of your powers."

Great I was an outcast already by default. "So where am I supposed to go?" I ask.

"Well we have decided that you should get your own wing." Miss Elegrine said. "Now don't worry, it wont be a large area where you would feel lonely or outcast from the rest of the students. You will still be able to mingle in the common room, its just we thought if we get one demi-demon then more could be on the way, and it would be better that we accommodate for when that eventuality happens. You get the honors to name your tribe too...what a privilege..you get to be the original tribe member." She clapped her large hands together excitedly.

I didn't feel like it was a privilege. I felt...lonely. Miss Elegrine must have picked up on my senses, she gave me a small smile.

"Everything will be okay Beau. I know this is a lot to take in. How about we get you to your wing. You can unpack, get your head together, we can talk about tribe formalities at a later date. You need to get some food into you." She stood up. "Please take that tablet with you it has a school map, with class locations and everything you need to know about this school. There's also the matter of your school subject...you will be notified about those later. For the moment familiarize yourself with the school." She said as she walked to the door. I got up and followed, shoving the tablet in a pocket in my duffel bag.

She led me out and we returned to the main entrance. This time she leads me up the grand staircase. As we got to the upper floor, Miss Elegrine turned to me placing a large warm hand on my shoulder. "I know it’s a lot, Beau. But you’ll find your place here. It’s just that for someone as unique as you, we have to do things a bit differently." She paused, her kind gaze softening as she saw the doubt still lingering in my eyes. "It’s a privilege to have you here, not a burden. You get to create something new. A legacy, if you will."

I swallowed, not entirely sure how to feel about it. The weight of it all pressed on me, but I didn’t have the energy to argue. I didn’t feel special. I felt like I was just an inconvenience in this place that I didn’t want belong to.

"Alright," I muttered, though I could already feel a sense of loneliness settling deep in my chest.

Miss Elegrine gave me another reassuring smile, clearly not oblivious to my discomfort. "Don’t worry, Beau. You’re not alone. We’ll revisit all of this later. For now, let’s get you settled."

I took in my surroundings—this floor seemed to stretch for miles, its high ceilings and grand archways adding to the sense of scale. Miss Elegrine led me down a short corridor to a large common room, the heartbeat of the student life on this floor.

The room was filled with soft, warm light coming from the ornate chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. A few students, both boys and girls, mingled in small groups, talking and laughing as they lounged on the plush sofas scattered around the room with gentle music playing in the background. There were bookshelves lining the walls, filled with books, scrolls, and other artifacts. The smell of freshly brewed tea lingered in the air, mingling with the scent of the polished wood floors beneath my feet.

“This is the main common room,” Miss Elegrine explained as she gestured to the space. “Everyone shares this space, but there are separate common areas for boys and girls. Just through those two doors.” She pointed to the two doors at opposite ends of the room, each labeled simply with a small plaque — one for “Boys” and the other for “Girls.”

We walked through the door labeled “Girls,” and I couldn’t help but notice how different the atmosphere was. The hallway beyond was quieter, a soft hum of activity emanating from the girls’ common room just beyond. The door to the girls’ room was framed with a design of intertwining vines and flowers, the kind of decoration that made the space feel more lived-in. Inside, the room was filled with a comforting, warm ambiance. Cushioned seating and rich tapestries hung on the walls, providing an almost ethereal feel, a blend of nature and soft magic.

“This is the girls-only common room,” Miss Elegrine said with a small smile. “Here, female students from all tribes can relax and mingle away from the boys. If you prefer a more private space, you’ll notice the four doors around the room — each leading to your tribe’s own private common room. These spaces are reserved only for members of their respective tribes; students from other tribes are not allowed to enter.”

She gestured toward the doors, each marked with a distinct sign. “You’ll see each sign matches the affinity of the tribe it represents. For example, the ‘Cat Tribe’ door is marked with elegant, swirling lines that resemble a cat’s tail, while the ‘Water Tribe’ is adorned with waves and flowing symbols.” I scanned the signs, intrigued by how each one reflected the unique traits of the tribes.

There was one door that didn’t have a sign. It was plain, and for some reason, it stood out to me. "This is your door," Miss Elegrine said, her voice softening as she pointed to it. "Since you will start with a new tribe, you’ll be staying in your own wing, separate from the other students. But, as I said, you can still mingle in the common rooms and participate in any activities you’d like."

She opened the door, revealing a short hallway beyond. I couldn’t help but note how there seemed to be too many hallways in this school. I couldn’t be the only one who noticed this, could I? My thoughts were interrupted as Miss Elegrine continued, “This is your space. You’ll have privacy, but remember you’re not alone." At the end of the hallway, she opened another door, revealing my new bedroom. It was simple—clean lines, muted colors, and minimalist furniture. A large bed took up one side of the room, the soft linens inviting me to sink into them. A sturdy wooden cupboard stood against the far wall, and a desk was tucked beside the window.

"There’s an en-suite bathroom," Miss Elegrine said, gesturing to a door on the right side of the room, "and you’ll have the opportunity to decorate and personalize this space as you see fit. It’s yours now." I nodded, taking in the emptiness of the room. I wasn’t sure what to feel about it. Miss Elegrine, sensing my hesitation, added with a gentle smile, "Like I said before, we’ll talk more about the tribe and how everything works when you're ready. For now, take your time to settle in. Dinner is being served now. Just follow the map on the tablet I gave you. You wont get lost." She squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.

"Thanks," I said quietly, unsure of what else to say. She gave me a last encouraging look before stepping back into the hallway.