CHAPTER 28: GARDEN OF GALVESTON

[Monster Academy —]

The morning sun bled through the high stained glass of the great hall, painting shifting colors across the crowd of gathered students.

The air hummed with restless chatter— boots scraping, whispers passing and wings flicking. Something was different today—

—Principal Camila stood on the raised stage, hands clasped neatly before her, beside her was Darren, who looked as collected as ever, though his eyes carried that sharp glint of calculation that never seemed to fade. Behind them hung the Academy’s black-and-gold banner, swaying gently from the high ceiling like a silent witness.

When the murmurs grew too loud, Camila raised her hand. Instantly, the hall fell into silence— the kind that seemed to breathe all on its own.

"Students of Monster Academy," she began, her tone was calm but commanding. "You have all heard whispers of what’s to come— some true, others... imaginative. Today, I am here to bring clarity."

A soft stir ran through the hall. Valkyrie shifted slightly where she stood with Soda, Tekna, and the others at the front. She could feel the tension in the air, the expectation pressing like a weight.

Camila’s eyes swept across the faces before her. "In light of recent events, the Council has approved a special excursion for all qualified supernaturals. This journey will take you to one of the oldest and most sacred places in our realm— The Garden of Galveston."

A low ripple of murmuring spread through the crowd.

"Wait...The Garden of Galveston?" Soda whispered under her breath.

Camila continued, unbothered by the student’s reaction. "This is not a vacation. It is an advanced field training program— a test of endurance, strength, and knowledge.

The garden was once the cradle of ancient power, where celestial and infernal forces coexisted. It is where you will learn not only to control your gifts... but to understand their origins and bond together..."

Darren stepped forward, his dark cloak brushing against the stage floor. "You’ve all been trained within the academy walls," he said, with his voice smooth, and too steady.

"But those walls can only protect you for so long. Beyond them, the world grows darker. What you’ll face in Galveston will not be real dangers. You’ll fight imaginative simulations, But. It’s is a reflection of what you are to expect in the real world."

Val’s brows knitted slightly. ’Real world’. The words struck something deep inside her.

Beside her, Soda leaned close, whispering, "He really knows how to make a field trip sound like a death sentence."

"Maybe it is," murmured Jasmine, folding her arms.

From the far right side of the hall, the Devil’s Cult stood together— Bulb, Stone, Rosé, Mona, Raven, Delvin, Punch and Stephenie.

Bulb’s usually lazy smirk had faded into something unreadable. Stephenie, however, was watching Darren with hawk-like intensity, her jaw tightening slightly with every word he spoke.

Camila resumed, "This program will be mandatory for all supernaturals who have passed the qualifying trials. You will be divided into units, blending celestial, devilish, and elemental students alike. Cooperation will be essential for survival."

That sparked an immediate uproar.

"Cooperation?" someone from the back scoffed. "You’re putting angels and devils on the same team and expect cooperation?"

"Last time that happened, the Library exploded!" another voice shouted.

The noise swelled— voices were clashing, laughter mixed with anxiety. Camila didn’t shout to silence them; she simply let the tension roll over until Darren’s voice cut sharply through it.

"You MUST...Cooperate," he said coldly, "or you will fail... Division in war is the last thing the multiverse needs right now." The hall quieted again, unwillingly.

Val glanced sideways at Bulb across the crowd. He was watching her— not in the usual mocking way, but with something else flickering behind his eyes. Awareness? Or fear. She couldn’t tell.

On stage, Camila continued, her voice gentler now. "I understand the uncertainty some of you may feel. But remember, this academy exists not to shelter you— but to prepare you. The Garden will challenge everything you’ve learned so far. It will test your control, your instincts, and your unity."

She paused, her gaze briefly flickering to Darren— a subtle tension passing between them, it was quick but unmistakable.

"There is one more matter I must address," Camila continued with all seriousness. "One that concerns every realm— celestial, devil, and mortal alike."

A tension rippled through the air. Even the restless wings of the younger angels stilled.

"You’ve all heard fragments of the truth," Camila went on. "Rumors about the shadows that have begun to stir across the multiverse. The creature behind those disturbances has a name. A name many of you have only read about in the Academy archives."

She paused, letting the silence thicken before she spoke again.

"VENOM."

The name struck the room like a spell. Gasps echoed everywhere, it was low and uncertain. Valkyrie felt a cold wave crawl up her spine.

Darren stepped forward, taking his turn beside her. "Venom was once a guardian of balance— one of the first to master the energy that binds the realms. But power, as you’ve all learned, is a hungry thing. It twisted him...When the Council denied his claim to invent resurrection portions, he turned his strength against them. The war that followed nearly shattered the planes of existence. Many lost their lives, including our past leaders and symbol’s"

He looked across the sea of faces, the faintest smirk pulling at his lips. "The Council believed he was chained beneath the earth...They were wrong."

Camila’s voice returned, softer but cutting through the stillness. "For years he was silent. Then the disappearances began. The first cracks in the veil. And now... his minions are crossing into the human world. We believe he has eyes and ears around the academy somehow" she said gazing at Stephanie. "Untill we can prove this claim, I want everyone to stay careful, with whom you communicate or hang around with" She said pointing at everyone with her eyes.

A heavy quiet fell over the hall. Some students exchanged frightened glances; others stared straight ahead, pale and tense.

Darren continued, "These attacks are not random. Venom seeks retribution. To him, this is payback— for being imprisoned, for being forgotten."

Camila’s gaze swept the room once more. "But he misjudges the world he left behind. We will not yield to fear. Each of you was chosen because you carry something powerful— something the multiverse needs. Whether you are angel or devil, your strength matters. You are the generation that can end what he started."

For a heartbeat, there was only silence. Then the faint hum of whispers began again— voices laced with awe, fear, and defiance.

Valkyrie stood among them, but her thoughts had drifted somewhere else entirely.

Her heart beat raced faster.

Her hands trembled slightly.

"Venom". She said.

The name echoed in her mind like an old memory surfacing from deep water.

"That explains it..." she murmured under her breath, barely audible. "That’s how the demon knew my name..."

"But why? Why me?" She asked her self.

Why her? Why had the demon singled her out when there were hundreds of others more powerful and more seasoned? The thought churned in her chest.

Darren’s voice drew her back to the present. "In the days ahead, your loyalty, courage, and unity will be tested. The Academy stands as the first and last defense between order and chaos. Do not take that lightly."

Camila continued, with her tone resolute. "The Garden of Galveston will not only train you, it will prepare you for the war that has already begun..." She paused letting the words sink in. "...Training begins tomorrow morning. Prepare accordingly. Rest while you can...The Garden of Galveston is not a place that forgives weakness."

Then, almost as if the universe wanted to add its own exclamation point, thunder rolled faintly outside the tall windows. For a split second, Val thought she saw a flicker of black mist slither along the base of the stained glass. But when she blinked, and it was gone.

The assembly broke finally.

Students spilled out in every direction— some excited, others anxious. The chatter was immediate and messy, a mix of speculation, fear, and curiosity.

***********************************************

[The hallway —]

In the hallway, Val walked with her friends, still processing the announcement. Soda was the first to break the silence.

"So let me get this straight— they’re sending us to some ancient death garden to ’train’ or for ancient myth?"

Tekna snorted. "Pretty much."

Rain added, "And with devils? Perfect. Because nothing builds teamwork like sharing tents with people who want your downfall."

They all laughed lightly, but Val didn’t. She was quiet, her mind circling the same thought— VENOM. As principal Camila and Darren just mentioned earlier.

"Val?" May asked softly. "You okay?"

Valkyrie blinked and forced a small smile. "Yeah. Just... thinking."

Rain eyed her. "You’ve been doing that a lot lately."

Soda looped her arm through Val’s. "Don’t worry, we’ll all survive the garden. Worst-case scenario, I use you as a shield."

"Thanks," Val said dryly. "That’s comforting." They all grinned it off.

********************

Back at the far end of the hallway, Darren and Camila walked side by side. For a moment, they didn’t speak. Then Camila said quietly, "I just hope they’re all ready Darren"

Darren’s lips curved faintly. "Discipline is necessary. Fear sharpens resolve. I believe they’ll be fine. Camila."

"Fear breaks people, Darren. And am concerned for them, but this is their fate"

He didn’t reply— he just gave her that same unreadable look, as they slowly turned and walked away.

"Venom is no ordinary devil, I can tell because we’ve had an encounter in the past... a historic one" she continued as they walked to there respective offices.

"Everyone knows this. Camila" He paused then continued "You chained him for over a decade. I must confess it was incredible.... But with the fire in their eyes— I believe they may be stronger than we think, each and everyone of them". Darren finally said as he walked himself to his office.

"Hmmm..." Camila murmured coldly to herself as she did the same.

***********************************************

In the courtyard, Valkyrie stopped to glance up at the sky while the others walked to class. The clouds were thickening, darkening at the edges, like bruises forming in the heavens. A chill wind cut through the morning air.

She didn’t know what awaited them in the Garden of Galveston...

but deep down, something told her this wasn’t just a test.

It was the beginning of a storm.