Family Matters

Saguna barely slept that night, his mind continually wandering to the Soul Drainer attack and Radji's condition. The marks on his neck pulsed with phantom heat each time his thoughts returned to the shadow entity. His mother noticed his distraction at breakfast, her eyes lingering on the dark circles beneath his own.

"Something on your mind?" she asked, sliding a plate of steamed rice cakes toward him.

"Just Academy stuff," he mumbled, knowing how hollow the words sounded even as they left his lips.

She studied him for a moment longer. "You look different, Sun," she said, using his childhood nickname. "Excited about something, yet... troubled."

How could he possibly explain? That in two days, he'd formed a supernatural bond with two strangers? That shadow creature from another dimension had tried to drain his friend's life force? That ancient marks had appeared on their bodies, marking them as some kind of elemental guardians?

"I'm fine," Saguna said instead. "Just adjusting."

When the sun rose higher, Saguna just couldn't stay at home anymore. He needed to see how Radji was doing, to confirm with his own eyes that his friend had survived. 

The Academy grounds were quieter than usual, most students taking advantage of the free morning to sleep in or study privately. Saguna's footsteps echoed across the stone pathways as he made his way to the infirmary. When he arrived, he was startled to find the door already ajar—and even more surprised to see Kiran Emberil standing beside Radji's bed.

"What are you doing here?" The words came out sharper than Saguna intended.

Kiran turned, his usual arrogant expression oddly subdued. "I heard about the accident from my parents," he said, eyeing Saguna with what might have been suspicion. "They sit on the Academy's Board of Governors. Word travels fast about 'incidents in the gardens.'" His fingers traced air quotes around the phrase.

"Didn't realize you cared," Saguna said, moving further into the room. Radji lay still against the white sheets, his breathing steady but his face still unnaturally pale.

"I respect Radji, he's actually got half a brain, unlike most of the scholarship cases they let in these days." Kiran retorted, though without his usual venom.

Before Saguna could respond, Professor Nyala and the infirmary staff entered. "Gentleman, can you wait outside? We need to check Radji's condition."

In the corridor, Saguna was surprised to find Osa already waiting, leaning against the wall with uncharacteristic stillness. His usual easy smile was nowhere to be seen.

"Professor said I should wait here," Osa explained. His eyes widened slightly when he saw Kiran exiting the infirmary after Saguna. Kiran merely gave them a glance before walking away.

"What is he-" before Osa could finish his sentence, they heard a commotion coming toward the infirmary.

"—simply cannot accept this!" The man's voice boomed, echoing off the stone walls. "Our son is in danger after just two days at your Academy. What is your explanation?"

As they peered down the corridor, they saw Master Damian walking alongside a well-dressed couple - a tall, stern-looking man with graying hair at his temples and a woman whose worried expression couldn't mask her resemblance to Radji.

"I understand your concern, Mr. and Mrs. Loma," Master Damian was saying, his voice carefully measured. "But I assure you, what happened was an isolated incident. The Academy is taking every precaution-"

"Isolated incident?" Mr. Loma interrupted. "Our son is unconscious! And your explanation involves spirits? That is superstition!"

"Sir, if you would allow me to explain fully-"

"I want to take my son out of the Academy," Mr. Loma declared. "Apparently you're good for nothing!"

Saguna and Osa exchanged worried glances as Radji's parents pushed past them into the infirmary. The shouting continued inside, becoming more heated with each passing moment.

"Do you know what happened to him?" 

The quiet voice made them both jump. A young woman stood beside them, her features so similar to Radji's that there could be no mistaking the relation. Where his face was all angles and precision, hers was a softer echo of the same template. Her eyes held the same analytical intelligence, but tempered with something Radji lacked—a worldliness that suggested experiences beyond academic halls.

"You're Radji's sister?" Osa guessed.

She nodded. "Amira Loma. Our parents called me when they received word about Radji." Her gaze moved between them. "You must be his friends. He mentioned making some in his message yesterday."

"I'm Saguna, and this is Osa," Saguna offered. "We met Radji during orientation."

"Please," Amira said, her voice dropping lower, "what really happened? Our parents only received a vague notice about an 'incident in the gardens.' But I know the Academy wouldn't contact my family unless it was serious."

Osa and Saguna exchanged uncertain glances, neither sure how much they could or should reveal.

"It's complicated," Saguna began carefully.

"It usually is at the Imperial Academy," Amira replied with unexpected understanding. "I graduated three years ago. Some things here... aren't easily explained to outsiders."

Before they could respond, the infirmary door burst open, and Radji's father stormed out, his face flushed with anger. "Amira! We're taking your brother home. This institution is not what we believed it to be."

"Father, perhaps we should-"

"No discussions!" Mr. Loma cut her off. "The decision is made. I've already begun the paperwork for his withdrawal."

Radji's mother emerged from the infirmary, her expression torn between worry and resignation. Behind her came Professor Nyala, whose usual composed demeanor remained unshaken despite the confrontation.

"Mr. Loma," the professor called, "I strongly advise against removing your son at this time. His condition requires specialized care that-"

"That we will provide elsewhere," Mr. Loma interrupted. "Through proper medical channels, not... whatever ritualistic nonsense you're peddling."

Professor Nyala's gaze shifted momentarily to Saguna and Osa, a subtle warning in her eyes. "As you wish," she said finally. "But please consider allowing your son to make this decision when he regains full consciousness."

"When he regains consciousness, he'll be grateful to be away from this place," Mr. Loma declared.

As the heated exchange continued, Osa felt a strange sensation in his chest. The mark over his heart had begun to pulse with a gentle warmth. Without thinking, he moved toward the infirmary door, drawn by some inexplicable pull.

"Where are you going?" Saguna whispered.

"I need to see Radji," Osa replied, unable to explain the urgency that thrummed through his veins. "I can feel him fading."

Inside the infirmary, the tension in the air was palpable. Master Damian stood beside Radji's bed, his expression grave as he watched over the unconscious student. 

"Mr. Hann," he acknowledged with a slight nod.

Osa approached Radji's bedside, acutely aware of the mark on his chest growing warmer with each step. Radji lay motionless, his skin still unnaturally pale, but the dark veins had receded completely. His breathing was steady now, his expression peaceful.

As Osa drew closer, the mark over his heart pulsed more insistently. Without fully understanding why, he reached out and placed his hand on Radji's forearm, just where he knew the other's mark to be.

The reaction was immediate. A cool, soothing sensation flowed from Osa's chest, down his arm, and into Radji. The mark on Radji's forearm began to glow faintly beneath his sleeve, visible only as a soft illumination through the fabric.

Master Damian stepped forward, placing himself between the scene and the door where Radji's parents might return any moment. "Quickly," he murmured, "the connection strengthens him."