19
After few days.....
Mark was lost in his thoughts as he trained in the cellar, his mind wandering to the strange talisman and the cursed dream that still haunted him. He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice Julian approaching him until the older man cleared his throat.
"Yer losing focus," Julian said, his voice stern but not unkind.
"I was just... preoccupied."
"With the talisman?"
Mark nodded. "Yeah. I still can't figure out what it means or why it appeared in my dream. It's driving me crazy."
Julian placed a hand on his shoulder. "Answers come when they're ready, not when we are. Keep that in mind."
Mark sighed, feeling frustrated. "I just wish I knew what it all meant."
Julian gave him a small smile. "You will. Just give it time. And in the meantime, don't let it distract you from your training."
As days turned into weeks, Mark found himself lost in his training sessions with Julian and his upcoming exams. Despite his best efforts, he still couldn't shake the strange dream from his mind. He had tried everything to figure out its meaning, but to no avail. Even Julian had no answers for him.
But then, there was Lida. She had blown his ear off for doing something crazy, scolding him for the danger he had put himself in. Lida's anger was palpable, and Mark could feel the weight of her disappointment and concern as she scolded him. Her voice shook with emotion as she listed all the ways in which Mark's reckless behavior had endangered himself. He could see the worry etched into every line on her face and hear the fear in her voice and it pained him to know he had caused her so much concern.
He tried to apologize, but his words fell flat in the face of Lida's anger. She cut him off, her voice rising with each word, telling him that his apologies were not enough, that he needed to understand the gravity of his actions.
She treated him like her own son, and he vowed to never put her through that kind of anguish again. Despite his best efforts to make amends, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had let her down.
As the days went by, Mark threw himself into his training with renewed vigor. He pushed himself harder than ever before, honing his skills and perfecting his techniques.
Throughout all of this, Ria was there beside him, through thick and thin. She had been a constant source of support and encouragement, and he couldn't imagine going through all of this without her by his side. She spent countless hours with him, pouring over books on ancient runes and symbols, trying to find any clue that might help him piece together the fragments of his dream. She has also had a huge falling out with her family blaming them for what happened to Mark. Despite everything that had happened, he knew that he was lucky to have her in his life.
Despite all this, the strange dream continued to haunt him, a puzzle he couldn't solve. He wondered if he would ever uncover the truth behind the curse and the talisman.
As Mark walked down the corridor, he breathed a sigh of relief. His final exam was finally over, and he felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He couldn't believe how fast the semester had gone by. It felt like just yesterday he had arrived at the academy as a wide-eyed freshman, and now he was almost done with his third year. As he turned a corner, he ran into Sarah.
"Hey, Mark! How did your exams go?" She asked cheerfully.
"Better than expected," he grinned. "You?"
"Ugh, don't even get me started. I've never been great at exams. I just hope I passed. How's Ria?"
"She's been busy with some research project for one of her classes. I think it's been taking up a lot of her time."
"Yeah, I know how that goes. Is she doing okay though?"
"She's doing great. She's been working really hard, but I think she's enjoying it."
"Sounds like Ria. Has she been able to get any time to herself lately, or have you been hogging her to yourself as usual?" She smirked.
"Guilty as charged."
Sarah laughed. "You two are like two peas in a pod. But seriously, have you thought about giving her a break? Maybe let her hang out with some of her other friends for a change?"
Mark chuckled. "I'll try to be less of a hog, but no promises. Ria's just too awesome to let go of."
Sarah shook her head, still smiling. "You two are hopeless. Where is she anyway?"
"Actually, I'm not entirely sure," he said with a shrug. "She just sent me a location on text and told me to come here. Apparently, she has a surprise for me."
"A surprise, huh? Sounds exciting. Do you have any idea what it could be?"
Mark shook his head. "Nope, not a clue. But I'm looking forward to finding out. I just hope it's not another prank like the last time."
Sarah laughed. "Knowing Ria, you never know what you're going to get. But I'm sure it'll be fun, whatever it is. Where did she ask you to come anyway?"
He pulled out his phone and scrolled through his messages and showed her the message.
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, that's fancy! Whatever Ria has planned, it must be something special. She is really going all out. A five-star hotel?"
"Yeah, I can't wait to see what she has in store. I just hope I'm dressed appropriately"
"Well, looks like you're in for a real treat. And hey, if you need a third wheel, I'm always available."
Mark chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Great, I won't keep you from your surprise any longer. Have fun, Mark!" she said, waving goodbye as she walked off down the hallway.
As they parted ways, Mark couldn't help but feel excited. He quickened his pace, What could Ria possibly have prepared for him? He couldn't wait to find out.
Mark found himself standing before an imposing edifice—a five-star hotel that shimmered like a jewel under the sun's rays. He felt conspicuously out of place in his casual attire, amidst the sea of tailored suits and designer dresses that flowed in and out of the grand entrance. Taking a deep, steadying breath, he pushed aside his apprehensions and stepped into a world of luxury.
The moment he crossed the threshold, he was enveloped by an ambiance of opulence that was almost overwhelming. The expansive lobby was a symphony of elegance, adorned with lavish furnishings, intricate art pieces, and a grand chandelier that hung like a celestial body. A soft melody floated through the air, mingling with the intoxicating aroma of exotic flowers.
Approaching the front desk, Mark felt a twinge of self-consciousness. The receptionist, however, greeted him with a disarming smile. "Good afternoon, sir. How may I assist you?"
Clearing his throat, Mark managed, "I'm here to meet someone. Her name is Ria."
The receptionist's fingers danced over her keyboard before her eyes met his again. "Ah, yes. She has reserved a suite and specifically requested that you be escorted to the room. Please follow me."
He followed the receptionist to the elevator and they rode up to the fifth floor in silence. As they walked down the hallway, Mark couldn't help but feel like he was in a movie scene. The carpeted floor muffled their footsteps, and the subdued lighting gave everything a hazy, dreamlike quality.
Finally, they reached room 507, and the receptionist handed him the key card. "She is waiting for you inside, sir. Enjoy your stay," she said before walking away.
Mark took a deep breath and slid the key card into the slot. The door clicked open, and he stepped inside, and was immediately taken aback by the lavishness of the room. The suite was enormous, with a king-sized bed, a living area with plush couches, and a breathtaking view of the city from the balcony.
As he walked further into the room, he could hear the sound of water running from the bathroom. He realized Ria must be in the shower.
"Ria, it's Mark. I'm here," he announced, raising his voice to be heard over the shower's rhythmic patter.
A momentary silence ensued before Ria's voice floated from behind the bathroom door. "Just a few more minutes, sweetie."
His eyes roamed the suite, taking in the sumptuous details. The bed seemed to beckon with its cloud-like pillows and luxurious comforter. A large flat-screen TV adorned the wall, and a small table near the window was laden with an array of refreshments. Unable to resist, Mark sampled a few.
"Make yourself comfortable, Mark," Ria's voice echoed from the bathroom.
He sank onto the bed with a sigh, feeling the softness of the comforter beneath him. He couldn't help but marvel at how fancy the room was. It was like something out of a movie.
His fingers absentmindedly touched the talisman around his neck, studying the intricate symbols etched into its surface. The events of his strange dream came back to him, and he couldn't help but wonder if there was any truth to it. The curse, the incantations, the strange symbols - it all felt too real to be just a dream.
