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 one evening, a shiver running down my spine as if a cold wind had passed through me. Their cries filled my dreams, and lately, they had started creeping into my waking moments too. I found myself drifting off in class, my friends noticing my distant expression, my mind lost to visions they couldn’t comprehend.

  Each vision showed me a place—a distant, blurry structure at first. Tall stone walls rose like a fortress, imposing and jagged, surrounded by towering spires that stretched toward the sky. There was a coldness to it, an unsettling energy that made my heart race and my skin crawl.

  The dragons were always there, swirling in the shadows like wisps of smoke, their eyes full of fear and desperation. I could hear their silent cries, as though they were reaching out to me, pleading for help, their forms flickering in and out of my vision.

  They weren't just images—they were real, alive with urgency, and each time I felt their terror pierce through me, it was like my very soul trembled in response.

  At first, I couldn’t understand why these visions kept coming. Why this place? Why the dragons? But over time, the details sharpened. The structure revealed itself to be a vast academy, unlike anything I had seen. Its towering walls and grand courtyards held an eerie, almost sinister beauty. It was as if the academy itself was alive, a sentient entity calling to me, a place I couldn’t ignore.

  Then, one day, it happened. In the center of the academy, etched into the very stones of the grand structure, were words—clear and undeniable. Vortex Academy.

  The moment I saw those words, something inside me clicked, and a wave of realization crashed over me. I knew. This was where the visions had been leading me all along. Vortex Academy—the place the dragons had been calling me to, the place where their cries had originated.

  But what did it mean? What was I supposed to do with this knowledge? And why couldn’t I shake the feeling that if I ignored it, if I didn’t go, something terrible would happen? The weight of the dragons’ desperation hung heavy on my chest. They needed me. But could I really leave Aetheria Academy, my home, my family, my friends, to go there?

  The thought terrified me. The idea of leaving everything behind was almost too much to bear. Yet, deep down, I knew it was inevitable. I couldn’t ignore the call any longer. The visions were clear: Vortex Academy was where I needed to be.

  But what would happen if I failed to answer? Would the dragons be lost forever, their cries silenced by the forces that sought to control them? Would I be too late to save them?

  The pressure mounted with every passing day. I knew what I had to do. But was I ready?

  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. The weight of their urgency had become impossible to ignore. I couldn't keep this hidden any longer. My brothers, especially Adrian, had started to notice my distracted demeanor—the way my thoughts seemed to drift, taking me to realms they couldn’t even begin to comprehend.

  "Arvi, you're lost in thought again," Adrian’s voice sliced through the air, sharp and concerned, tinged with suspicion. His eyes, usually so warm, now narrowed in on me, his brow furrowed with worry. "What's going on?"

  "Nothing," I mumbled, my words forced, a mask of normalcy stretched over the growing storm inside me. "Just academy stuff. You know how it is." But I could see it in his eyes—the flicker of doubt. He wasn’t convinced, and the concern in his gaze gnawed at me, making my heart heavy.

  Today, my friends had reached their limit. After combat training, as we walked through the academy gardens, the tension between us was palpable. The golden glow of the evening sun stretched long shadows across the pathway, a stark contrast to the darkness I felt lingering in my soul, growing deeper with each passing vision. They had gathered around me, their eyes burning with the same urgency that had filled my dreams.

  "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."

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  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.

  "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 theirs? 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.