As Rishi chatted—easy, casual—Aarav listened, trying to piece together the hidden map of this campus. The college wasn't just an institute; it was a hierarchy carved into stone. Word reached him in the way people spoke, in the way groups clustered in courtyards.
Ten groups dominated campus life. Seven were male groups and three were female—each group more like a small kingdom than a club. They had ranks—numbers that meant everything. The top group, Group One, lived like untouchables—worshipped by juniors, feared by rivals. Members of the top tiers were treated like demi-gods: doors opened for them, favors were granted, and troubles were quietly swept away.
Every group had its own turf, its own rules, its own code. The groups fought—subtle wars of status and influence that could turn messy if crossed. Rumors floated through the halls: accidents that weren't quite accidents, suicides that left unanswered questions, disappearances stitched into the college's polished reputation with silence and money.
Aarav's jaw tightened as the fragments coalesced into a pattern. This place protected its own with money, appearances, and networks that reached into the city's deepest pockets. If the man in the BMW belonged to one of these circles—or worse, if his family sat at the top—then the path to truth would be littered with walls and whispers.
Rishi tapped his shoulder lightly, pulling him back from the edge of those thoughts. "Don't look like you're auditioning for a pity scene," he said, half teasing. "You'll survive. We all do." His grin was easy, genuine. "Stick with me. I'll show you how the chessboard works."
Aarav swallowed, feeling both smaller and sharper at the same time. He was out of his depth, yes—but not out of options. Rishi's words were simple, but they mattered. In a place where power wore designer clothes and smiled like a blessing, having one ally was the first honest weapon.
He rose, folding the uncertainty into his back pocket like a folded note. The campus glittered around him—luxury and laughter and danger braided together. Aarav moved forward, step by deliberate step, into the maze of ranks and rules, into a world that would either reveal the truth or bury it forever.
He had one thing with him that mattered more than status: a promise. The promise of the girl whose face had haunted the news, whose life ached in his memory. He would learn the rules. He would study the faces. He would find the person behind the sunroof smile.
And he would not stop until the silence was broken.
1. Wraithborne
At the very top of the college hierarchy sat Wraithborne—a group shrouded in mystery, dominance, and quiet fear. No one knew who led them. Some whispered that the leader had never been seen, that perhaps their face had never graced the campus. Yet their presence was everywhere.
Wraithborne ruled every corner of the college—from academics to athletics, debates to extracurriculars. Their scores, their performance, their achievements were untouchable, untouchably perfect. Every exam, every competition, every evaluation seemed preordained for them to claim first place.
Students and faculty alike gave them space. They spoke little, moved with a silence that was almost ceremonial, and observed the chaos of the college from above. No one dared challenge them; no one dared cross them. To be noticed by Wraithborne was to invite scrutiny, and scrutiny often came with consequences.
They were untouchable, a phantom presence on campus—everywhere and nowhere at once. A constant reminder that dominance could be wielded not with force, but with precision, intelligence, and an unspoken threat.
To even whisper about Wraithborne was to invite tension. To meet their gaze—impossible, for the leader was always unseen. They were the shadow at the top, the apex predators of this elite world, and the standard against which all others were measured.
2. Vortex of Sins
Just below Wraithborne, like shadows that chased the light, was Vortex of Sins—a group defined by ambition, skill, and restless hunger. They were the second-ranked powerhouse of the college, always striving for the top but never quite reaching it.
Vortex of Sins was formidable. Every member excelled—academics, athletics, debates, performances—they mastered it all. There was no weakness, no hesitation, no retreat. Even when the odds were stacked against them, even when defeat loomed, they never backed down. Their courage was reckless, their confidence intoxicating.
Yet, despite all their prowess, Wraithborne's shadow always loomed above them. The top spot remained untouchable, a throne that Vortex of Sins could see but never claim. That tension fueled them. Every success felt incomplete, every victory a whisper compared to Wraithborne's silent dominance.
They were beautifully dangerous—a perfect storm of talent, ambition, and pride. Students whispered about their energy in the halls: how their laughter could cut like a knife, how their arguments commanded attention, how their presence made even the boldest think twice.
They were hungry predators, relentless, brilliant, and endlessly striving. And yet, for all their strength, the crown always stayed just out of reach.
Leader: kiaan
3. Reapers
Standing proudly as the third-ranked group in the college, Reapers were a force built on skill, discipline, and sheer willpower. Unlike the wealth-soaked elites of Wraithborne or Vortex of Sins, most of the Reapers were scholarship students—students who came from modest backgrounds, yet carried themselves with quiet confidence and undeniable talent.
Reapers excelled in academics, sports, and strategy, often outperforming those who had every advantage money could buy. They fought, but only when necessary; aggression for them was measured, precise, never reckless. Their strength came not from bodyguards or influence, but from their own rigor and loyalty to each other.
Inside the group, there was a deep bond. They trusted one another with everything—their plans, their secrets, their ambitions. Power, privilege, and connections might rule other groups, but Reapers thrived on talent, courage, and unity. Against larger, richer groups, they held their ground with the quiet ferocity of a storm restrained.
Their leader, Advik, was the heart of this disciplined machine. Calm, calculating, yet intimidating in the way he carried himself, Advik inspired absolute loyalty. With him at the helm, Reapers weren't just a group—they were a statement: that skill, grit, and integrity could hold their own against privilege, and sometimes even topple it.
To cross a Reaper wasn't impossible—but it was dangerous. Their reputation wasn't built on fear or money—it was earned, and that made them respected, feared, and unpredictable
4. Grave Bound
Grave Bound held the fourth spot in the college hierarchy, but appearances were deceptive. On the surface, they seemed like a decent, unassuming group, blending into the chaos of the elite campus. Yet within their ranks, a single presence could make them one of the most formidable forces in the college.
Their leader, Ronav, was a legend in subtlety and intellect. Calm, composed, and devastatingly smart, he had been courted by rival groups—offers, alliances, even promises of power—but he had never left his group. No one knew exactly why. Rumors swirled: some said loyalty, some said arrogance, others simply shrugged. Yet one thing was undisputed: Ronav's mind was unmatched. In a campus obsessed with status, wealth, and strength, intelligence had become a silent weapon—and Ronav wielded it like a blade.
Even among the strongest groups, no one could match Grave Bound in strategy. One move from Ronav, one calculated gesture, and the balance of power could shift. The group wasn't flashy. They didn't boast expensive cars or designer threads. They weren't loud in the halls. But those who underestimated them quickly learned that silence and precision often hit harder than arrogance or brute force.
To encounter Grave Bound was to sense the invisible gears turning in someone else's mind, always three steps ahead. Their influence wasn't the kind that screamed—it was the kind that made you rethink your every move.
5. Blood Count
Ranked fifth in the college hierarchy, Blood Count was a group forged in strength, teamwork, and raw energy. Most of them were also members of the college football team, making them coordinated and physically dominant—like a pack moving in perfect sync.
They were formidable fighters, yet they rarely sought conflict. Anger was deliberate, a weapon unleashed only when necessary. When provoked, however, their force was relentless and unstoppable.
The group was diverse, a mix of scholarship students and regular students, bridging gaps between privilege and grit. Academics were not their strength—they often lagged behind in studies—but their raw strength and unity more than compensated, making them a force no one could easily challenge.
At the heart of Blood Count was their leader, Aarush. Calm under pressure, commanding without arrogance, Aarush carried a presence that unified the group. His eyes held the sharpness of someone who knew both when to fight and when to wait, and the other members followed him with unquestioned loyalty. Under Aarush, Blood Count wasn't just a team—it was a storm waiting to break.
In the college ecosystem, they were the silent but unstoppable force—respected, feared, and underestimated at one's own peril.
6. Ash Born
Ash Born held the sixth rank in the college hierarchy, a relatively new group carving out their place in a world dominated by legacy and privilege. They weren't the strongest, nor the most brilliant—but they were resilient, determined, and hungry to rise.
Formed by students who had been overlooked, underestimated, or even rejected by other groups, Ash Born carried the energy of the underdog. They weren't flashy, and they hadn't yet mastered all the games of influence and power that ruled the campus—but their effort, ambition, and unity made them a group to watch.
Their leader, Ishir, was a natural strategist and motivator. He didn't have the advantage of wealth or history, but his drive inspired loyalty and courage in his members. Under Ishir's leadership, Ash Born slowly began to challenge the older, more established groups—sometimes barely, sometimes decisively.
Ash Born represented potential in motion: young, fierce, and unafraid to claw their way up the ladder. They were the rebels with promise, the misfits finding their rhythm, and the ones who refused to be written off. In the sprawling, competitive world of this elite college, Ash Born was the spark that could ignite chaos—or change the rules entirely.
7. The Forsaken
At the very bottom of the college hierarchy sat The Forsaken, a group of outcasts and outsiders. They were the ones pushed aside by every elite circle, looked down upon, and dismissed. Yet in their rejection, they had found a ruthless edge.
Most members were former scholarship students who had learned early that nothing came for free. Money, influence, recognition—these were the driving forces behind their every action. They didn't play fair, they didn't hold back, and they certainly didn't care about morality or loyalty beyond themselves. Their fights weren't calculated; they were chaotic, brutal, and merciless.
Their leader, Yuvan, embodied the group's dark energy. Sharp, fearless, and unrelenting, he inspired the Forsaken with a mix of fear and respect. Under his command, the group thrived in conflict, exploiting every weakness in others, taking risks no one else would dare.
The Forsaken were the chaos in the system, the dark shadow lurking behind the college's polished veneer. To cross them was dangerous; to underestimate them was deadly. They were cruel, cunning, and completely unbound by the rules that governed every other group.
In a world of power, wealth, and precision, The Forsaken were the wild card—the unpredictable force that could strike when least expected, leaving chaos in their wake.
8. The Aurora
Standing apart from all others, The Aurora was the ultimate girls' group—a constellation of beauty, talent, and privilege that seemed untouchable. Ranked high in academics, unmatched in sports, and flawless in presence, they carried themselves like royalty walking through a world of commoners.
Every member radiated elegance and power. They weren't just skilled; they were exceptional in every aspect, from intelligence to physical ability to social poise. When they entered a room, silence often followed, not out of fear, but out of awe. Their standards were absolute, their demeanor icy, their attention selective—they rarely looked at anyone outside their circle.
At the helm was Myra, the leader. Brilliant, composed, and untouchably confident, she was the axis around which the entire group rotated. With wealth and influence backing her, Myra made every decision, every glance, every word carry weight. To cross her or The Aurora was to invite unseen consequences, as if the very campus itself bowed to their presence.
In a college dominated by ambition, arrogance, and power, The Aurora were the untouchables, a glittering reminder that class, beauty, and intellect combined could create a force impossible to challenge.
9. Velvet Rebels
Next in the hierarchy of the college girls' groups was Velvet Rebels, the second most popular group among female students. They weren't born into wealth or privilege—most were middle-class scholarship students—but their ambition, talent, and natural beauty gave them a presence that couldn't be ignored.
The members of Velvet Rebels came with a simple goal: to study, excel, and build a better life for themselves. They weren't flashy like The Aurora, nor untouchable, but there was something captivating about them—a quiet charm that drew attention wherever they went. Many of them were naturally beautiful, yet their elegance was understated, unpretentious. They walked with confidence, carried themselves with dignity, and earned respect through skill, effort, and determination rather than sheer wealth.
Their leader, Tara, was both inspiring and approachable. Unlike the untouchable aura of Myra and The Aurora, Tara led with subtle charisma and calculated intelligence. She knew how to motivate her group, balance ambition with pragmatism, and navigate the treacherous waters of campus politics with grace.
Velvet Rebels were the champions of the ambitious and hardworking—students who had nothing to lose and everything to fight for. They represented determination, authenticity, and a quiet power that demanded attention, even if they didn't always dominate the headlines.
10. Golden Hour
At the bottom of the girls' hierarchy—or perhaps outside it entirely—was Golden Hour, a group that thrived in chaos and cruelty. They weren't concerned with prestige, grades, or appearances. Their world was darker, twisted by a fascination with pain and control.
Members of Golden Hour didn't care about themselves; they existed to manipulate, intimidate, and enjoy the suffering of others. Their laughter carried a chilling edge, their smiles often masking malicious intent. To cross them was to invite torment—they were unpredictable, fearless, and psychologically dangerous, their minds sharp in ways most couldn't comprehend.
Their leader, Eshita, was the embodiment of this menace. Brilliant in manipulation, fearless in confrontation, and utterly unrestrained, she commanded absolute loyalty from her followers. With Eshita at the helm, Golden Hour became a storm of chaos, a group where cruelty was not a flaw but a weapon honed to perfection.
In the polished, competitive world of this elite college, Golden Hour was the dark undercurrent—a reminder that power could exist not only in wealth, beauty, or intellect, but in fear, madness, and unrestrained malice.
Rishi leaned back, eyes scanning Aarav like a hawk. His voice was low, serious, almost a growl.
"Listen carefully, Aarav… these are the ten groups in this college," he said, each word deliberate, heavy with warning. "Wraithborne, Vortex of Sins, Reapers, Grave Bound… all of them. The Aurora, Velvet Rebels, Golden Hour… and the rest. Each one is dangerous in their own way. Don't ever think about picking a fight with them. I'm not just talking about protecting yourself physically—you need to survive mentally too. Keep your head down. Watch. Learn. Be smart. Be safe."
He leaned closer, eyes piercing through the dim hallway light. "This place isn't like any other college. One wrong move, one careless word… and it's over. No one forgives mistakes here, and no one forgets weakness. You want to last? Don't get noticed. Don't challenge them. Not yet. Not until you know what you're up against."
Aarav nodded slowly, a shiver running down his spine. The weight of the campus, of its power, wealth, and danger, pressed down on him like a storm ready to strike. Ten groups, ten worlds, and he was just a single pawn stepping onto the board.
And yet, deep inside, a spark lit in his chest. He had come here for the truth, for justice, for her. And no warning, no matter how grave, would stop him.