A Moment of Clarity

Arvanya's POV:

The infirmary door closed behind me, but it felt like I was walking through fog. My mind was a chaotic mess, each thought tangling with the next. The things I’d seen earlier—they didn’t just disturb me; they shook me to my core. Whose voice had that been? Why did it sound like it knew me, like it was meant for me? And the images… Could they really happen? Could they become real?

The dim corridor seemed to stretch endlessly before me, shadows dancing in the flickering light of the sconces lining the walls. A few students milled about, their voices hushed, but I barely registered their presence. Some turned to look as I passed, their eyes curious. I didn’t know why, but their glances felt heavier tonight, as though they could sense the turmoil within me.

My feet moved as if on autopilot, each step a steady rhythm against the stone floor. I kept my gaze fixed ahead, unwilling to meet anyone’s eyes. The whispers around me faded into background noise, and the ache in my chest grew sharper with every breath.

I wasn’t sure where I was going until I found myself in the courtyard, drawn as if by instinct. There, standing tall under the moonlight, was the statue of nature. The centerpiece of our dormitory, it exuded an ethereal calm, as though it could listen to unspoken confessions.

I sank to the ground beneath it, my back resting against the cool stone pedestal. Closing my eyes, I tried to focus, to breathe through the chaos. I’d come here with a purpose: to find the truth about the elemental dragons I’d seen in my visions and to help them. That was supposed to be my mission. But now… now everything felt like it was unraveling.

Meeting my mate had never been part of the plan, and yet here he was—Lucian, the one who could shatter me with a glance and unsettle me with his mere presence. His voice, his face—they surfaced in my mind unbidden, mingling with the strange voice I’d heard earlier. My thoughts spiraled back to the infirmary, to the way his expression had hardened when I’d pulled away from him. The hurt in his eyes—it hadn’t just cut me; it lingered, adding to the weight already crushing me.

And that scene. That horrible, nightmarish scene that kept replaying in my mind. I couldn’t shake it. My thoughts turned to my friends, my family, and even my mate. Harsh words echoed in my mind, a stark reminder of my outburst in the infirmary.

Why was this happening? Why was I hearing that voice, and why were these visions haunting me now? My outburst in the infirmary must have raised suspicions, especially from Lucian. He wasn’t the kind to let something like this slide. He would dig, pry, and uncover what I was hiding—of that, I was certain. But how could I explain something I didn’t understand myself?

The courtyard felt impossibly still, as though it were holding its breath with me. The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden hue across the stone paths and the statue at the center. Its intricate details—carved vines and flowers—caught the fading light, seeming to glow faintly in the twilight. I felt a strange relief standing here, surrounded by nature’s beauty. It wasn’t just the serenity of the scene; it was something deeper, a bond I shared with nature itself. My elemental dragon of nature stirred within me, as though reminding me I wasn’t alone, that I was part of something much larger.

Yet, even in this moment of calm, the fears within me lingered, whispering uncertainties about the path ahead.

I clenched my fists, feeling the tension rise again. What should I tell them—my friends, my mate—when I didn’t even know what was happening to me?

The evening air brushed against my skin, cool and gentle, as if urging me to calm down. But the storm inside me wasn’t so easily quelled.

The soft buzz in my pocket startled me, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. My phone. When I saw Luca’s name flashing on the screen, my fingers hovered hesitantly. The memory of my outburst in the infirmary still burned in my mind. What if I hurt them too?

The phone buzzed insistently. I drew a deep breath and swiped to answer.

“Hello, pfunny little sister,” Luca’s familiar teasing voice came through, his tone light and warm. That silly nickname—it had been his way of pulling me out of my head ever since we were kids. “How are you? And how was the big surprise of seeing your friends? Bet you freaked out when you found them there.”

I tried to muster a smile, but his words stirred fresh frustration within me. “You shouldn’t have kept it from me,” I said sharply, my voice trembling. “That Master Orin knows about me. Or that those idiots are coming to the academy. Why didn’t you tell me?”

There was a brief pause before another voice broke through—deeper, steadier. Adrian. “Arvi, calm down. We were going to tell you when the time was right.”

“That wasn’t your decision to make!” I snapped. “You don’t get to decide what I should or shouldn’t know!”

A pause lingered before another voice broke through—the one I both respected and feared in moments like this. My dad.

“Arvanya,” he said firmly, his tone carrying the weight of both authority and concern. “We didn’t tell you because we needed to see what was happening there. If you’d known about Master Orin, you would have told him to stop reporting to us—just like you didn’t tell us about the chandelier incident. If he hadn’t informed us, we wouldn’t have known you were injured and unwell.”

His words struck me like a physical blow. “I… I didn’t want you to worry,” I stammered. “I handled it.”

“Handled it?” His voice rose slightly, the frustration in it undeniable. “You call hiding your injuries handling it? I’m your father, Arvanya. How could you think it was acceptable to keep something like that from me? From your family? When it concerns your safety, your life, you don’t get to hide it. We agreed for you to go there to find about those elemental dragons, but this is unacceptable. Your life matters more to us than anything else. Do you understand that?”

Tears welled in my eyes, blurring my vision. My throat tightened as his words echoed in my mind. He was right. I’d kept too much from them, trying to shoulder it all alone.

“Arvi,” my mother’s voice came next, soft yet firm, layered with love and worry. “You don’t have to go through this alone, darling. You have us. We’re your family. Why didn’t you tell us?”

Her words unraveled me. Tears streamed freely down my face now, my voice breaking as I tried to respond.

“I… I just didn’t want you to think I couldn’t handle it. I didn’t want to disappoint you,” I admitted, my voice trembling.

“Disappoint us?” Adrian’s voice interjected, incredulous. “Arvi, you could never disappoint us. Don’t you know that?”

“Never,” Thiago added, his tone softer but no less certain. “We’re proud of you, Arvi. You’ve been through so much, and you’ve handled it better than any of us could have. But you don’t have to do it alone. We’re here for you. Always.”

“Always,” Luca echoed, his playful tone masking the sincerity behind his words. “Even when you’re being a pain, we’ll always have your back.”

My mother’s voice came again, soothing and tender. “You’re our daughter, Arvi. No matter what happens, we will stand by you. We love you, and we are proud of you. Always remember that.”

“And you’ll never face anything alone,” my dad added, his voice firm yet filled with warmth. “Whatever happens, we’ll be there to protect you. To stand with you.”

A shaky laugh escaped me through the tears, a mix of relief and gratitude filling my chest. Their unwavering support wrapped around me like a warm embrace, pushing away the weight of my doubts.

“But what if I can’t figure it out?” I whispered, my voice small. “What if something goes wrong? What if I fail?”

“You won’t fail,” Adrian said confidently. “Because you’re not alone in this. We’ll figure it out together.”

“And even if something does go wrong,” Thiago added, his voice steady, “we’ll still be here. No matter what. You’ll always have us.”

My dad’s voice softened, yet his conviction remained unshakable. “You’re not just our daughter—you’re our strength, Arvi. Whatever happens, we will never leave your side.”

“We’re proud of you, Arvi,” my mom said gently, her voice thick with emotion. “More than you’ll ever know. And we’ll love you through it all.”

Their words filled the empty spaces in my heart, grounding me in their love and faith. I sniffled, trying to calm myself as I spoke. “I… I’ll do my best,” I promised, my voice steadier now. “I won’t let you down.”

“You could never let us down,” my dad said, his voice filled with both strength and love. “But remember, Arvi, we’re always here. No matter how far apart we are, you’ll always have us. You’re our pride, our joy. Take care of yourself, my little girl.”

Adrian chimed in next, his voice warm. “Take care, Arvi. And remember, we’re just a call away if you need us.”

“Same here,” Thiago added. “No matter what time it is, don’t hesitate to reach out.”

“And don’t forget to eat properly!” Luca teased, though his tone held affection. “Don’t make me come there to lecture you in person.”

A soft laugh escaped me. “I’ll remember. I love you all.”

“We love you too,” they all said in unison.

As the call ended, I sat there in the courtyard, the phone still in my hand. Their words lingered in the air, filling me with a warmth I hadn’t felt in days. No matter what lay ahead, I knew I wasn’t alone.

As my mind steadied, guilt began to creep in, and my thoughts drifted to my friends. I had lashed out at them in the infirmary, driven by the turmoil of whatever I had seen. They had only been concerned for me, yet I had said too much, letting my frustration and fear hurt them.

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I stood up, brushing the grass from my dress. I couldn’t let this fester. I needed to apologize to them—to explain, if I could.

Would they forgive me? Would they understand? I wasn’t sure, but I had to try. They deserved that much from me.

Before I could turn and head back into the dormitory, a familiar voice called out behind me. "Arvi"

I froze in place, my heart skipping a beat. When I turned, I saw Kai walking toward me, his expression a mix of concern and determination. Beside him were Nico and Sofia, their faces mirroring his worry.

Kai started, his voice steady but gentle. “We’ve been looking for you. How are you feeling now?”

The lump in my throat returned, but this time, it wasn’t from fear or anger—it was guilt. They knew something was wrong, that my sudden outburst wasn’t just a fluke. Yet, despite everything I’d said to them in the infirmary, here they were, standing before me, worried about me.

I wanted to tell them the truth, to explain everything that was weighing me down. But I couldn’t—not yet. There were bigger things at stake. First, we needed to free the air elementals, and only then could I think about confiding in them.

Still, their kindness was almost too much to bear. I lowered my gaze, unable to meet their eyes as the guilt clawed at me. “I… I’m sorry,” I managed to say, my voice trembling. “I said so many wrong things to you. I hurt you when all you were trying to do was help me. I’m sorry.”

Nico was the first to respond, his usual fiery demeanor softening. “You don’t have to apologize, Arvi,” he said, his tone surprisingly gentle. “We knew something was wrong. We could see it. We just didn’t know how to help.”

Sofia stepped forward, her water-like calmness soothing as always. “Arvi, we’re your friends. We’ll always stand by you, even when you push us away. But you have to let us in—at least a little. We can’t help you if you keep shutting us out.”

Kai stepped forward and wrapped me in a comforting hug, his embrace steady and filled with quiet strength. “We’re here, Arvi. Whatever’s going on, you don’t have to face it alone. We’ll get through it together.”

Their words were like a balm to my fractured heart. I felt the tears threatening again but blinked them back. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. “For being here. For not giving up on me.”

They exchanged a look, a silent conversation passing between them. Then Nico grinned, his fiery personality peeking through again. “Of course we didn’t give up on you, princess. You’re stuck with us, whether you like it or not.”

I managed a small laugh, the tension in my chest easing slightly. “I like it,” I admitted softly.

Kai nodded. “Good. Now let’s get back inside before the others start worrying too.”

With their presence beside me, I felt a small glimmer of hope returning. I wasn’t alone—not with my family, and not with my friends. Together, we’d face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As we walked inside, I asked, “What about the others? Are they okay? I mean… are they upset with me?”

Kai gave me a reassuring smile, his tone steady. “They’re fine, Arvi. And no, they’re not upset with you. They’re worried about you. That’s why they’re waiting for you. Come with us.”

I followed them, curious yet confused. But instead of heading toward the north dormitory, where my room was, they started walking in the direction of the east dormitory.

“Wait,” I said, frowning. “My room is in the north dormitory.”

Kai glanced over his shoulder, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “You’ll understand soon enough. Just trust us.”

We continued walking, and my patience began to wear thin. “Are you going to tell me where you’re taking me, or do I have to guess?” I asked, exasperated.

Nico smirked, his fiery personality evident in his tone. “You’ll find out soon enough, princess.”

The east block of the dormitories was unfamiliar territory to me. I knew it was reserved for the fire elementals, but I’d never had a reason to venture there. As we climbed the stairs to the upper floor, my curiosity turned into mild apprehension. Finally, we stopped in front of a door that stood out starkly from the others.

Unlike the other dormitory doors, which were simple and practical, this one was intricately carved with flames etched into the dark wood, their patterns catching the light in a mesmerizing dance. The golden doorknob gleamed, and the aura around the door felt regal—commanding, even.

Sofia stepped forward and knocked lightly. Moments later, the door opened, and Zane stood on the other side. His eyes lit up as he saw Sofia, who immediately hugged him.

“Come in,” Zane said, his tone friendly yet firm.

Kai and Nico entered first, and I followed hesitantly. The moment I stepped inside, I froze in awe.

The room was nothing like the standard dormitory rooms I’d seen. It was double the size of the others, exuding the luxury of a five-star hotel suite. The high ceiling featured an intricate mural depicting dragons of fire, water, earth, and air, their vibrant colors almost alive in the soft glow of golden sconces. Deep crimson walls with golden accents enveloped the room, radiating both warmth and authority.

A grand king-sized canopy bed stood against one wall, its black and gold sheets immaculate, with curtains that could provide complete privacy. Opposite the bed, a wall of bookshelves stretched from floor to ceiling, resembling a private library, with a cozy reading nook tucked into one corner. Beside the shelves, a sleek desk held neatly arranged scrolls, books, and a polished sword displayed above it. The plush dark rug beneath my feet seemed to swallow every sound, making the room feel even more intimate.

As I stood there, marveling at the opulence, a familiar, intoxicating scent filled the air, sending a shiver down my spine. My heart raced, and without needing to think, I knew exactly whose room this was.

Ryker's voice broke through my daze, laced with amusement. “So, what do you think of the room?”

Before I could stop myself, the words escaped me. “I love it.”

Zane chuckled, drawing my attention back to the others. “Do you know whose room this is?” he asked, his tone teasing.

Without thinking, I blurted, “Lucian.”

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to me. The surprise was evident on their faces, their expressions a mix of confusion and shock. Calen was the first to break the silence.

“How do you know?” he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion. “You’ve never been here before. How could you possibly know?”

It was then that I realized what I’d said. My breath hitched as I met their questioning gazes. Guilt and panic swirled in my chest, but what unnerved me the most was Lucian’s expression. He stood near the desk, his arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. His piercing eyes were locked on mine, filled with curiosity and something else I couldn’t quite place.

“I…” I started, my voice faltering. How could I explain this without revealing too much? My gaze darted nervously between them before finally landing on Lucian.

His smirk deepened as he stepped closer, his presence commanding and impossible to ignore. “Well?” he drawled, his voice low and smooth. “How do you know, Aria?”

I hesitated for a moment, my heart pounding, but then quickly composed myself. “Well, it’s not exactly a secret,” I said, my tone casual but confident. “This is Vortex Academy, and if there’s a room that stands out like this, it’s only logical to assume it belongs to Lucian Vortex.” I deliberately emphasized his surname, keeping my tone light and matter-of-fact.

The tension in the room eased immediately, and their expressions softened. Zane chuckled, nodding in agreement. “Fair point,” he said.

The others exchanged amused glances, their postures relaxing as if they believed me. Their smiles returned—too quickly, I noticed, like they were trying to move on for my sake. It was clear they hadn’t forgotten what happened in the infirmary, but they were pretending everything was fine.

I knew I owed them more than just an excuse. Clearing my throat, I said softly, “Look… about earlier. I’m sorry for the way I acted. You were only trying to help, and I pushed you away. That wasn’t fair to any of you.”

Lila was the first to speak, her voice gentle. “Aria, you don’t have to apologize. We know you’re dealing with a lot, and we’re not holding it against you.”

Esme nodded, offering a small smile. “She’s right. Just… don’t bottle everything up, okay? We’re here to help, whether you like it or not.”

Calen crossed his arms, his tone teasing but affectionate. “Honestly, you’ve got nothing to apologize for. But if you’re planning to keep secrets, at least make them a bit less obvious next time.”

Dante smirked, adding, “What they mean is, you’re forgiven. But if you pull a stunt like that again, don’t be surprised if we gang up on you—out of love, of course.”

Their playful banter lightened the air, and I felt a warmth spread through me. Finally, I glanced at Lucian. His expression was calm, his face betraying nothing, but his eyes told a different story. There was no anger, but I saw a flicker of hurt beneath the surface, and it made my chest tighten. He didn’t say anything, simply giving a subtle nod as if to say, It’s fine. But it wasn’t, not entirely—not with the way his gaze lingered.

Just as I was about to pull away from the moment, Nico came forward, breaking the heavy silence. I turned to look at him, shaking my head slightly, a small smile forming. “Our friendship is not that weak to break with your silly outburst,” I said, the teasing edge in my voice as I reached out to him.

He grinned and wrapped me in a tight hug. The warmth from his embrace melted away the lingering tension. But then, suddenly, out of nowhere, a cane came crashing down on Nico’s forehead. He jolted back, hands going up instinctively to his head.

“Ouch! What the hell?” he groaned, rubbing his forehead with a baffled expression.

I, too, was utterly puzzled. I scanned the group, but everyone wore the same confused, shocked expression. Nobody knew where it had come from. Nico straightened up, his brow furrowed. “Who did this? That cane really hurts!”

Sofia couldn’t help but laugh, her voice light and teasing. “Maybe the cane loves you. Looks like it practically threw itself at you.”

The others chimed in, their remarks laced with playful humor, but it didn’t quite erase the confusion from the air. Zane, who had been watching with a slight smirk, added his own comment, his gaze flicking to Lucian. “I guess the cane’s got a thing for Nico,” he said with a mischievous glint.

I turned to look at Lucian too, and my heart skipped a beat. There he was, now grinning as though he had just accomplished something. A strange thought crossed my mind—could he have done that? Had he been behind the cane? But why would he do that?

My gaze lingered on him for a moment, and I noticed the way his smile seemed almost too satisfied. It was hard to tell what was really going on behind that grin. But before I could think any more about it, I forced myself to look away.

“So,” I said quickly, trying to change the subject, “what are we doing here, anyway?”

Ryker was rummaging through the snacks on the table, then looked up and said, "Just chilling. Playing some games."

“Games?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “What kind of games?”

Before Ryker could answer, Lila chimed in with a mischievous smile. “You’ll see soon enough. But first, everyone take a seat!”

I watched, puzzled, as they all moved quickly to sit in a circle. Some settled into futon cushions, while others plopped onto the floor. I noticed Zane and Sofia sitting together, while Ryker and Lila found their spot beside each other. Dante, Kai, Nico, Esme, and Calen gathered nearby, and my confusion deepened when I saw Lucian also sitting with them, an empty space beside him.

My heart skipped a beat. What are they doing? I wondered, trying to make sense of the scene. Before I could dwell on it, Calen called out to me, breaking my thoughts.

“Aria, come sit!” he said, gesturing toward the empty space beside Lucian.

I hesitated for a moment, my feet rooted to the spot. Sitting that close to Lucian felt like a terrible idea. The mate bond between us was already wreaking havoc on my senses, and the thought of being near him made my pulse race. But with everyone watching, I couldn’t refuse.

Reluctantly, I walked over and sat beside him, careful to keep some distance. Despite my best efforts, I could feel his gaze on me, intense and unwavering. I stared straight ahead, refusing to meet his eyes, but the mate bond stirred, its pull growing stronger.

Before I could spiral any further, Nico stood up and grabbed a bottle from the nearby study table. He placed it in the center of the circle and gave it a spin.

It took me a second to realize what they were doing, and when I did, my eyes widened. “Are you serious?” I asked, incredulous. “We’re playing this? We’re not kids anymore!”

Zane, always quick with a retort, leaned in with a smirk. “You and Lucian are the same, huh? He said the same thing.”

I looked at lucian, puzzled, and he met my gaze, his grin widening. “So, we’re right, actually. Who plays these kinds of games now?”

Dante leaned back with a lazy grin. “Come on, you both. We’re just trying to act like normal students for once. Have some fun.”

Esme nodded enthusiastically. “He’s right. Ever since I got here, it’s been all classes, combat practice, and assignments. My life’s become so boring. I need this.”

I sighed, shaking my head. “Fine. But what happens when the bottle stops on someone?”

Kai smirked. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

A sense of unease crept over me as I looked around the circle. Their expressions were lighthearted, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this than just a game. It felt deliberate, like they were trying to get something out of me.

The bottle spun, and I braced myself, knowing whatever happened next wouldn’t be simple.