Awakenings

This is very painful and confusing time for a radika, when one starts to discover signs of what one is. It doesn't mean that this is the time when one becomes radika, rather it's a dormant ability which awakens (hence the term "awakening"). This usually happens during puberty or when the body is pushed into a situation in which there is a dire need of energy.

When a radika starts the awakening process, there are several noticeable signs. Not to say that everyone experiences the same symptoms, but most experience at least some of these. (NOTE! This cannot be used to determine if you're a radika!)

• Constant thirst and/or hunger, no matter how much you eat and/or drink.
• Photosensitivity, and headaches which result from that.
• Feeling of aloneness which may result to suicidal behavior.
• Being more awake at night.
• For full-radikas: losing weight. Either wanting to eat everything that moves and doesn't move or feeling unable to eat anything.
• Curiosity about blood. (Note: Just because you're attracted to blood doesn't make you a radika.)

Note that some of these signs can have "normal" causes, for example stress. Before thinking that you're a radika, check out a local doctor (but don't tell them that you suspect being a radika). Also, these symptoms may or may not come at the same time. There can be even years between them.

From myths people can get wrong ideas about what happens during awakening. Most popular of those and their explanations:

• Increased strength. Sorry, this has nothing to do with awakening. If it happens, it's because of puberty, not awakening. (We appear in average stronger than normals, but it's not strength per se, but rather manipulation of energy.)
• Increased speed or agility. Same as before. With time radika may learn to warp time so that s/he appears faster. Also, speed is affected by the fact that we usually have a "gut-feeling" of what is going to happen.
• Increased sharpness of canine teeth. If your canine teeth get sharper, you most probably grind your teeth.