Chapter: 35 - Despair
The dorm room felt empty.
Four days. Four whole days of sitting in this room while life at the academy moved on without him. Phyro lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts a storm of regret and frustration.
The punishment didn't hurt as much as the realization that he had lost control. He had let his emotions consume him, nearly taking a life in the process.
And now—he was alone.
Klein still checked in on him, but his older brother wasn't the type to linger. Nico had barely spoken since their family was taken from them. She would sit quietly during meals, occasionally glancing at him with worried eyes.
She didn't need to say anything. He knew what she was thinking.
Please don't leave me too.
Late that night, a soft knock came at his door. Phyro ignored it at first, expecting Klein or one of the staff. But then—
"It's me," a familiar voice whispered.
Lana.
For a moment, he debated pretending to be asleep. But he knew she wouldn't leave.
He got up and cracked the door open. Lana slipped inside quickly, her expression filled with quiet concern.
"I know I shouldn't be here," she admitted, glancing around. "But I couldn't just do nothing."
Phyro sighed and sat back down on his bed. "You should be in your dorm."
"And you should be in class," she shot back, before sighing. "Sorry. That was stupid."
Silence settled between them.
"…I saw how they looked at you," Lana finally said. "The other students. Some are afraid. Some are talking like you're a monster."
Phyro clenched his fists. "Maybe I am."
"You're not."
He glanced at her, but she wasn't looking at him. She was staring at the floor, her fingers curling into the fabric of her skirt.
"I know what grief does to people," she continued softly. "I've seen it break stronger people than you. But it's not the kind of thing you have to carry alone."
Phyro looked away.
"…I don't know how," he admitted.
Lana hesitated, then moved closer, placing a hand over his.
"Then let me help."
For the first time in days, the storm inside him quieted.
Meanwhile, at the Academy…
"Did you hear? Nishiki almost killed someone."
"I heard he got kicked out."
"No, he's just suspended. But they're saying he snapped—like, completely lost it."
"Honestly, I always knew something was off about him. He acts all cool, but deep down? He's dangerous."
Yenta slammed his hand on the table, making the group of gossiping students flinch.
"Maybe if you actually knew him, you wouldn't be spewing garbage." His sharp glare silenced them.
Jude, sitting beside him, crossed his arms. "Not surprised. People love talking when the person isn't around to defend themselves."
Yenta exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "This is ridiculous."
"They're just scared," Ronan said, leaning back in his chair. "Can't blame them. He really did almost kill that guy."
Jude frowned. "You make it sound like he meant to."
"I know he didn't mean to," Ronan corrected. "But that doesn't change what happened."
Yenta shook his head. "I don't care what anyone says. Phyro isn't some mindless beast. He's hurting, and instead of helping, everyone's just waiting for him to mess up again."
A voice scoffed from behind them.
"Not everyone."
The group turned to see Lucian, standing with his arms crossed, watching the conversation with his usual unreadable expression.
Yenta raised an eyebrow. "Didn't think you'd be the type to defend him."
Lucian shrugged. "I'm not." He glanced toward the academy training grounds, where Phyro should have been. "I just know that someone who loses control like that… usually isn't weak."
Jude frowned. "That's what you took from all this?"
Lucian didn't answer.
Instead, he turned and walked away, leaving them with the unsettling feeling that, for better or worse, Phyro Nishiki had earned his respect.
End Of Chapter