Voices Calling from the Shadow

Arvanya's POV:

The visions had been tormenting me for a month, each one more intense and disturbing than the last. They were no longer mere flashes of light or fleeting emotions; they had morphed into a haunting call for help, echoing from deep within my own power.

Flickers of elemental dragons appeared, their ethereal forms reaching toward me, their silent yet desperate voices intertwining in a melody of fear. Each time, I felt their terror ignite like a fire in my veins, a relentless urgency that refused to be ignored.

"Really, couldn’t they find a way to ask nicely?" I muttered to myself one evening, shivering as if a cold breeze had swept through me. Their cries filled my dreams, and I had begun to drift off in class—something my friends were starting to notice.

Their eyes, wide with desperation, seemed to scream for salvation, and I could almost feel their icy breaths brushing against my skin, chilling me to the bone.

And each time, the call seemed to originate from one place: Vortex Academy. The thought of it had lingered in my mind for too long, like a storm gathering strength. What would happen if I failed to respond?

Would the dragons be lost forever, their cries silenced by the forces that bound them? The weight of that possibility pressed down on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

But leaving Aetheria Academy meant more than a mere change of scenery; it meant parting ways with my family, my brothers, and my closest friends. The very idea sent a shiver of uncertainty through me. Was I truly ready to make that leap?

Yet the visions had intensified, clawing at my resolve. I couldn't keep this hidden any longer. My brothers, especially Adrian, had begun to notice my distracted demeanor during our conversations, the way my thoughts drifted to realms beyond their comprehension.

"Arvi, you're lost in thought again," Adrian's voice sliced through the air, laced with a mix of concern and suspicion. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," I mumbled, forcing a smile that felt more like a mask than a genuine expression. "Just academy stuff. You know how it is." But the worry in his eyes told me he wasn't convinced.

Today, my friends had reached their limit. After combat training, they formed a protective circle around me near the academy gardens, the golden glow of the evening sun casting long shadows that mirrored the darkness I sensed in my visions.

"Spill it, Arvi," Sofia said, her voice firm and commanding, breaking through the tension thickening the air. Her gaze was intense, as if willing me to open up. "We're not leaving until you tell us what's really going on."

I glanced around, feeling the weight of their anticipation. My friends had stood by me through thick and thin, but this—this felt like a perilous crossing into unknown territory.

"Alright," I sighed, gathering my courage. "But you have to promise not to freak out." They nodded, their eyes wide with curiosity and concern.

Taking a deep breath, I began to share my burden, my voice trembling slightly with the weight of what I was about to reveal. "For weeks now, I've been having... visions. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I think elemental dragons are reaching out to me."

As I spoke, the memories of those visions flooded my mind—each one more vivid than the last. I could almost feel the rush of emotions that accompanied them, the fear and desperation resonating deep within me.

"They're in some kind of trouble," I continued, trying to articulate the chaos swirling inside me. "I don't know why, but it all seems connected to Vortex Academy."

Each time the visions came, it was like a surge of energy coursed through me, igniting every nerve in my body. I was enveloped in a whirlwind of sensations—flashes of color, the crackling sound of elemental forces, and the haunting whispers of the dragons' pleas echoing in my ears.

Their cries felt like an urgent song filled with anguish, demanding my attention, a melody that tugged at my heartstrings.

"I can see them," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, recalling the flickers of their forms—brilliant hues of fire, earthy greens, shimmering blues, and shadowy depths. "They reach out to me, their eyes wide with fear, and I feel their terror wrap around me like a suffocating fog. Each vision is a wave crashing against the shore of my mind, relentless and overpowering."

The memories surged forth, bringing with them an overwhelming sense of urgency. "It's like their emotions become mine," I added, my heart racing as I recounted the experiences.

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"When I see them, I feel their icy breaths on my skin, chilling me to the bone. I can sense their desperate calls for help, their human partners struggling alongside them in their turmoil. It's as if their suffering is mirrored in the hearts of those they're connected to, and I can't shake the feeling that I need to act."

I could see the weight of my words sinking in. "The thought of not responding fills me with dread. What if they're lost forever, their cries silenced by the darkness that surrounds them? The humans who share their bond—what if they suffer because I'm too afraid to act?" The heaviness of that possibility pressed down on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Kai broke the tension, his brows furrowing in concern. "Arvi, you're carrying so much. You shouldn't have to face this alone."

I managed a small smile, grateful for their support but overwhelmed by the magnitude of the situation. "Every moment I wait feels like an eternity. The visions grow more intense, more demanding. I don't want to let them down or risk losing the connections they have with their humans."

Lila's voice cut through my swirling thoughts. "We're here for you, no matter what. You don't have to figure this out by yourself."

Nico leaned in closer, his usual playful smirk replaced by an expression of worry. "Elemental dragons? Arvi, that's serious. And if it's linked to Vortex Academy..."

A tense silence enveloped us as my words sank in. Sofia exchanged a glance with Nico, her expression mirroring the unease pooling in my stomach.

"Arvi," Sofia's voice softened, her gaze unwavering. "There's talk about Lucian Vortex... They say he's not like anyone else. Just like you, he controls five elements, but shadow instead of nature. If he's connected to this..."

I shivered at the mere mention of Lucian. His name lingered in the air, whispered in fearful tones, the tales of his ruthless power haunting the academy halls. "I've heard the rumors," I admitted, "but it can't just be a coincidence that he and I are the only ones who can control five elements. What if he's part of the danger the dragons are facing?"

But even as I spoke, a nagging thought crept into my mind. Why did my father insist on hiding my powers when Lucian flaunted his so openly? Did he not understand that this secrecy felt like a cage, constraining my potential while others thrived?

I turned to my friends, my heart racing as I realized I couldn't face this alone. "Hey, can you all come with me? I need to talk about these visions with my family, and I want you by my side."

Nico leaned in, concern flickering in his eyes. "Yeah, we've got your back. Whatever it is, you don't have to go through it alone."

Feeling a surge of gratitude, I nodded. "Thanks, guys. It means a lot."

As we approached my house, I pulled out my phone and quickly typed a message in our family group chat, "Our Happy Family," letting them know it was urgent.

"Hey everyone, I need all of you to come home ASAP. It's really important—trust me."

With the message sent, I felt a mix of anxiety and determination swell within me. I needed my family's support now more than ever.

When I reached home with my friends, the familiar warmth of the house enveloped me, but the weight of my thoughts made it hard to relax. I led them into the living room, where my family was already gathered, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.

My father spoke first, his steady gaze piercing through the air. "Arvi, you asked everyone to come home. Is something serious going on?"

I hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of their attention pressing down on me. My mother, her voice gentle yet firm, added, "Whatever it is, sweetheart, you can trust us. We're here for you."

There was a flicker of worry in her eyes, a reflection of the burden I carried. I could see her grappling with the secrecy surrounding my powers, the fear that I might be in danger.

Taking a deep breath, I felt my heart race. "It's about the visions," I finally said, my voice quivering as I shared the weight of my revelation. "These aren't just random dreams. Elemental dragons... they're reaching out to me. It's like they need my help, and somehow, it's tied to Vortex Academy."

My dad nodded thoughtfully, the lines on his forehead deepening. "You have our support, and I'll speak with King Drakos if necessary."

I took a deep breath, my eyes steeling with determination. "No, Dad, we can't just go directly to King Drakos with this. What if we're wrong? What if something happens to those dragons before we can uncover the truth? If the wrong people find out, we could put them in even more danger."

My father frowned, torn between his instinct to protect me and the gravity of the situation. "Arvi, hiding this is risky. You're dealing with forces we don't fully understand. If King Drakos discovers we kept something from him, it could strain relations between our kingdoms."

"I get that," I insisted, frustration bubbling within me. "But we don't know who we can trust right now. If we rush in and reveal what's happening, we might tip off whoever's behind this. We have to be careful and figure out what these dragons want before making any big moves."

As I spoke, the familiar frustration gnawed at me. Why did my father insist on hiding my powers while Lucian and his family didn't hide his? It seemed so unfair.

Didn't he see how suffocating this secrecy was? Lucian flaunted his abilities, commanding respect and fear, while I felt trapped in a cage of caution, unable to embrace my true potential.

Adrian stepped forward, siding with me. "She's right, Dad. We should gather more information first. If we're going to help those dragons, we need to understand what's really going on. Arvi can't just stand by, but she shouldn't go in blind either."

Thiago nodded in agreement. "Let's see what we can find out first. If we can get any clues about why those dragons are reaching out or what's happening at Vortex Academy, then we'll decide if we should involve King Drakos."

My dad hesitated, weighing our words carefully, then nodded slowly. "Alright, but I want you to be careful. If things get too dangerous, you have to promise me that you'll let us handle it. No unnecessary risks."

My gaze swept over my family and friends, their faces etched with worry, yet their unwavering support filled my heart with warmth. My mother's expression was particularly poignant, a mix of pride and fear for the path I was considering.

As my pulse quickened with both fear and determination, I knew that whatever lay ahead, I wouldn't face it alone. The threads of fate were weaving tighter around us, and I was ready to unravel their secrets, no matter the cost.