Secrets Unveiled: The Hidden Powers of Arvanya

Arvanya's POV:

I took a deep breath, my mind spinning as Master Orin’s words settled in. He knew. He had always known. My carefully guarded secret wasn’t a secret anymore—not to him, not to my closest friends.

But Calen and Esme… their stunned expressions felt like daggers. How could I even begin to explain this to them?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, forcing a calmness I didn’t feel into my voice. My lips curled into what I hoped was a convincing smile, but my hands clenched tightly at my sides.

Master Orin sighed, his gaze softening just enough to make me feel like a guilty child caught in the act. “Arvanya, there’s no use denying it now. The truth always has a way of surfacing.”

Calen let out a strangled sound, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Wait. Princess?” he stammered, his gaze darting between me and Master Orin. “Aria… is that true?”

Beside him, Esme whispered, “You’re royalty? A princess?”

My stomach dropped. This wasn’t how I wanted anyone to find out. Not Calen, not Esme. Certainly not in the middle of this room, with Master Orin orchestrating the whole thing like a grand reveal in a drama.

“I…” My voice faltered. I glanced at my other friends, silently pleading for support. They nodded, their expressions a mix of encouragement and guilt.

There was no escape now.

“Yes,” I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s true.”

Calen staggered back as if struck, his face a whirlwind of emotions. Esme simply stared at me, wide-eyed, her lips trembling as she found her voice.

“Why didn’t you tell us?” she asked softly, her tone laced with disbelief and hurt.

I swallowed hard, avoiding their gaze. “I had my reasons,” I muttered. “It wasn’t something I could just—”

“Reasons?” Calen’s voice rose, anger flashing in his eyes. “We trusted you, Aria.”

Esme’s gaze hardened, and the soft tremor in her voice turned to biting sarcasm. “She’s not Aria, Calen. That was just a disguise to fool us. She’s Princess Arvanya.”

My heart sank as I heard the words, the weight of Esme's tone stinging more than I anticipated. I didn’t expect this reaction, but I couldn’t blame them.

Calen’s voice cut through the silence again, more frustrated this time. “Whatever you’re called—Aria or Arvanya—how could you keep something like this from us?”

“Because I had to!” I snapped, my frustration breaking through. My breath was uneven, my hands clenched at my sides. “You don’t understand the danger I’m in. The danger we’re all in.”

My voice shook, the truth finally spilling out. The tension that had been building inside me couldn't be contained anymore.

Master Orin, who had been sitting quietly in the chair across from me, suddenly leaned forward, his fingers steepled under his chin. His voice, steady but sharp, cut through the rising tension like a blade. “Enough, all of you.”

The room fell silent, Calen and Esme’s shocked expressions turning toward him. His stern gaze swept over everyone before softening slightly as it landed on me.

“Arvanya,” he said, his tone firm yet understanding, “it’s time they knew everything. No more secrets.”

I nodded, exhaling shakily. Orin turned to Esme and Calen, his expression unreadable. “When I saw her on the first day in the arena, I recognized her immediately. Those sharp blue eyes, her energy, her kindness—it was all too familiar. She reminded me of Queen Seraphina.”

“To confirm my suspicions,” Master Orin continued, “I contacted her father, King Thalor. He admitted her identity but instructed me to keep it secret for her safety. He asked me to keep an eye on her, to ensure no harm came her way, without revealing who she was—not even to her.”

My jaw clenched, anger bubbling beneath the surface. I turned to my friends. “Did you know? Did you know he already knew who I was?”

Nico exchanged a brief glance with Dante before speaking up. “Yes,” he admitted. “But we only found out when we were preparing to come here. Your dad told us before we left.”

My fists tightened at my sides, fury and betrayal swirling in my chest. “So, everyone knew except me? My own family kept this from me? They knew I was walking into this blind, and no one thought to tell me?”

Sofia leaned forward, her voice gentle but firm. “Arvi, they didn’t tell you because they wanted to protect you.”

“That’s not protection,” I shot back, my voice rising. “That’s manipulation!”

Fragments of conversations, withheld truths, and suspicious glances raced through my mind. And then it hit me—the gala night. My father’s call the next morning, Adrian’s worried tone.

I turned to Master Orin. “Did you tell my father about what happened that night at the gala?”

He nodded, his expression unwavering. “Yes. As I said, your father asked me to inform him about anything concerning your safety. I told him about the incident and assured him that you were fine.”

I froze, realization dawning. “That’s why my dad called me that morning. He already knew I’d been hurt.” My voice dropped to a whisper. “That’s why Adrian was acting so strange… he was worried.”

Kai stepped forward, his expression apologetic. “Arvi, when we found out you were badly injured, your father and brothers wanted to come here immediately. But we convinced them to stay back.”

“Convinced them?” I echoed, incredulous.

“Yes,” Kai said, his tone firm. “We told them that if they came, your hard work—your chance for find out the truth—would all be for nothing. Your identity would be exposed. So we came instead. No one would suspect us, and we took the entrance exam as planned.”

Their words settled heavily on me, a mix of relief and frustration. They had all acted to protect me, to ensure I could stay here without suspicion. But the weight of the secrets, the lies by omission, was overwhelming. Now I understood how Esme and Calen were feeling. I had hidden the truth from them, and their expressions were a painful reminder of the cost.

I looked at each of them—Nico, Dante, Kai, Sofia, Lila—and then at Master Orin. My family, my friends, everyone had played a part in this elaborate web of protection. But as my gaze shifted to Esme and Calen, the weight of their expressions struck me like a tidal wave. Betrayal. Hurt. Confusion. It was written all over their faces.

My chest tightened as I met Esme’s wide, disbelieving eyes. Calen’s jaw was clenched, his hands fisted at his sides, as if holding himself back from saying something he might regret. Their silence felt louder than any accusation.

“I didn’t mean to hide this from you,” I began, my voice trembling. “But it was necessary. Please, before you think the worst of me, just listen.”

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They exchanged a glance but said nothing, their silence an unspoken agreement to let me explain.

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. “I came here with a purpose. I didn’t choose this false identity, Aria Collins, out of deception or arrogance. I chose it because it was the only way to uncover the truth without drawing suspicion to myself.”

Their expressions didn’t change, but I pushed on, determined to tell them everything.

“Before I even arrived at the academy, I started having visions,” I explained. “Visions of elemental dragons—dragons in trouble, dragons calling out to me. I knew I had to find them, to understand why they were reaching out to me. But I also knew that if anyone discovered my true identity, my every move would be scrutinized. I’d be seen as a threat or a prize—not as myself.”

I hesitated, my eyes darting between the two of them. “That’s why I had to hide. To blend in, to move freely, and to search for answers. My family agreed it was safer this way, even though I hated lying to people who mattered to me.”

Esme’s lips parted, but no words came. Calen’s brow furrowed deeper, his internal battle evident.

“I needed to find out what was happening to those dragons and why they were calling me,” I continued. “It’s not just about my powers or my title. It’s about something bigger—something that could affect all of us. And for that, I had to remain hidden, even from you.”

The room was silent, the weight of my confession hanging between us. Finally, Esme spoke, her voice barely audible. “So… everything you’ve done here, everything you’ve said, was for this mission?”

I nodded, my throat tightening. “Yes. But not everything was a lie. My friendship with you both—it’s real. I swear it.”

Calen let out a slow breath, his shoulders slumping slightly. “You should’ve trusted us,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “We could’ve helped you.”

“I know,” I admitted, my voice cracking. “And I’m sorry. I didn’t want to drag you into something dangerous. But now you know everything. Please, believe me when I say I never wanted to hurt you.”

Esme’s expression softened just a fraction, though the hurt lingered in her eyes. “You should’ve given us the choice.”

“I know,” I whispered. “And I’ll spend as long as it takes to make this right.”

Master Orin remained seated but his voice carried the weight of authority, cutting through the tension. "Esme, Calen," he began, his tone calm yet firm, "you must understand that Arvanya’s decision to hide her identity wasn’t out of malice or mistrust. It was a necessity. If her true identity had been revealed, it would have placed her—and everyone around her—in grave danger. She didn’t know you both at the time, and given the stakes, she had no choice."

Esme and Calen exchanged a look, their expressions softening, though the lingering hurt in their eyes remained. It seemed Orin’s words had convinced them to some extent, though doubt still lingered.

The room fell silent for a moment before Sofia broke it, stepping closer to me. “Then tell us now,” she said, her tone demanding yet curious. “Where is this place? What have you found?”

I hesitated, my gaze drifting back to Esme and Calen. Their eyes bore into me, their expressions a mix of confusion and betrayal. It was clear they were grappling with the realization of how much I had hidden from them. Their faces silently asked the question: Do we even know her at all?

Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself and began to speak. “One night, while standing on the balcony of our dorm, I saw two men dragging something into the forest. It was late, and everything about it felt… wrong. I couldn’t ignore it, so the next day, I went back into the forest to investigate.”

I paused, my gaze sweeping over my friends. Master Orin’s sharp eyes narrowed with concern. Esme’s hand covered her mouth, her disbelief evident. Calen’s fists clenched, anger simmering beneath his shock. Sofia looked unsettled, her usual confidence dimmed. Nico and Dante exchanged tense glances, their unease written across their faces, while Kai and Lila’s expressions mirrored a mix of worry and dread.

“I followed those men,” I continued, my voice trembling slightly. “They led me to a hidden place deep within the forest. There, I discovered something horrifying—elemental dragons, imprisoned and trapped in that strange, forsaken place.”

Gasps erupted around the room. Master Orin stood abruptly, his chair screeching against the floor. “Imprisoned elemental dragons?” he repeated, his voice laced with disbelief. “Arvanya, are you certain of this?”

“Yes,” I said, meeting his sharp gaze. “But it gets worse. Those dragons… they weren’t just any dragons. They were air elementals. They were our classmates, Master Orin. Students from this academy.”

The shock was palpable. Esme clutched her chest, her breathing shallow. “Air elementals?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “But… they left the academy. Everyone said it was because of the discrimination.”

“That’s what we were told,” I said, my tone hardening. “But it was a lie. Those students didn’t leave. They were abducted. And someone within the academy’s authority is helping them.”

Calen shook his head, his disbelief evident. “This… this can’t be true. Someone from the academy involved in this? Why would they—?”

“That’s what we need to find out,” I interrupted, my voice firm. “This isn’t just about discrimination or hierarchy. It’s a conspiracy. And it’s been going on for years.”

Dante ran a hand through his hair, his fiery determination flickering back to life. “And the place where you found them—is it still there? Are they still trapped?”

I nodded. “Yes, and that’s why I had to keep this hidden. If anyone found out I was investigating, it would have put not only me but all of you in danger. The men who abducted the students didn’t look ordinary, and neither did that place. The people behind this are powerful, and they won’t hesitate to silence us.”

Kai stepped forward, his expression resolute. “That’s why we’re here—to help you and free those students. Don’t worry, Arvi. We’ll get to the bottom of this together.”

Esme, still processing, asked, "But why are they keeping them? What could they possibly want with these students?"

Lila’s voice was low, her gaze distant. "Maybe it’s for some kind of dark magic… or something bigger than that."

Dante, shaking his head in disbelief, added, "Does dark magic even exist anymore? I mean, it’s been centuries since we’ve heard anything about it..."

I exhaled slowly, my mind racing. "I don’t have a clear answer, but Lila might be right. Those men… they had a strange scent, something I’ve never encountered before. It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Maybe this is bigger than we think.”

Master Orin’s grip on the table tightened, his knuckles going white. His expression was a mix of concern and authority. "This... changes everything. We must act, but carefully. And you’re just teenage students—I can’t allow you to put yourselves in danger. This is far too risky."

After hearing Master Orin's words, my heart sank. He was right—I couldn’t let my friends be dragged into danger just to help the abducted students. I looked at them, and their expressions were all the same: a mix of determination and concern, their loyalty clear in their eyes.

If anything happened to them, I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.

But then Calen’s words struck me with the force of a thunderclap. “I don’t understand one more thing,” he said, his voice sharp. “If you’re the princess of Aquara Kingdom, and your father and mother, along with all your brothers, are water elementals, how could you possibly be an air elemental?”

Esme’s gaze flicked to me, her brow furrowed with confusion. “Calen’s right. How is that even possible?”

The tension in the room thickened as Master Orin, his face filled with the same confusion, added, “The same thought crossed my mind, but I didn’t ask. Your father never mentioned this to me either.”

I froze, my mind racing. My biggest secret—the one I had kept hidden from everyone—now felt impossible to conceal any longer. I glanced at my friends, and their expressions spoke volumes. They knew it was time for me to reveal the truth. My family and childhood friends were the only ones who knew, and I could feel their eyes burning into me, urging me to finally speak.

But just as I opened my mouth to offer an excuse, Esme’s voice cut through the silence, softer but filled with a sense of urgency. “Arvanya, please. Don’t lie to us this time.”

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. There was no turning back now. I stood up from the sofa, my heart pounding in my chest. Every eye was on me—Master Orin’s, Esme’s, Calen’s. And then there were my friends, all of them watching, waiting.

With trembling hands, I closed my eyes. I reached deep within myself, calling out to the dragons I had kept hidden—my five dragons, each representing a different element. I hadn’t reached out to them since I arrived at Vortex Academy, but now, I had no choice.

When I opened my eyes again, I extended my right hand. Flames burst to life, swirling around my fingers, crackling with intensity. My expression was determined, but inside, my mind was a storm of nerves. I held my left hand out, and water responded, swirling in the air around my palm, cool and fluid, shimmering with an ethereal glow.

The room fell into stunned silence as the truth settled in. My childhood friends—Nico, Dante, Sofia, Kai, and Lila—stood unmoved, their expressions unchanged. They had known this truth all along, and to them, it was nothing new. But to everyone else, it was a revelation that seemed almost impossible.

Calen’s jaw dropped, his eyes wide with disbelief. Esme’s face mirrored his, her eyes flickering between the fire and water in stunned awe. Master Orin’s expression shifted from confusion to realization, his eyes widening as the truth sank in.

In that moment, I stood strong, though my body betrayed the rush of emotions swirling inside me. My posture was rigid, my arms outstretched with purpose, as I spoke the words that would change everything: "I’m a five-elemental."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, everything was still. The room was thick with the intensity of the revelation, as if the very air had shifted around us.

Master Orin’s eyes widened with realization. Calen’s and Esme’s faces were filled with shock and awe. They had known so little, but now everything was different.

I met their gaze, my heart pounding in my chest, knowing that this moment—this truth—would change everything.

And as I stood there, exposed and raw, I couldn’t help but wonder: What would happen now? Would they still stand by me? Would they help me uncover the truth, no matter the cost?