WHISPERS OF DESTINY

As the sun peeked through the curtains, I was slowly stirred awake by a persistent knocking on the door. It took me a moment to register where I was, and the events of the previous night flooded back to me. Jess and I had stayed up until the early hours, lost in conversation about my father and the impact he had on my life. I shared with her how his artistic talent had inspired me to become an artist, and how Lexi had helped me when he passed away.

Glancing over at Jess, who was still sound asleep, I couldn't help but smile at how peaceful she looked. But the knocking on the door grew louder, and she groaned in protest. I kicked my legs off the bed. With a yawn and a stretch, I made my way to the door, wondering who could possibly be knocking at such an early hour. The door creaked open, revealing Adrienne. My lips curled into a mischievous smirk as I couldn't help but wonder if he was here to check on her.

"Well, well, well, Adrienne, what brings you here?" I greeted him, leaning against the doorframe.

"Dr. Volkov asked Vasil to pick up your stuff from the dorm, and I tagged along to get Jess's things," he explained, his eyes scanning the room. "Is she awake?"

I glanced over his shoulder and saw Vasil struggling to carry two heavy bags behind him, looking like a tomato that had run for miles. I was surprised that Dr. Volkov had gone out of his way to get my things brought to me, but I didn't mind the help.

"Why don't you come in and find out?" I teased, stepping aside to let him and Vasil in.

As we walked towards Jess's room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt that they had a fight because of me. I hoped they could patch things up. Adrienne walked over to Jess and gently shook her awake while I watched from the doorway.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Adrienne said with a smile.

Jess groaned and rubbed her eyes. "What time is it?"

"9 am," Adrienne answered, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

Vasil stumbled into the room, his arms burdened with bulging bags, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. Chuckling at the comical sight, I gestured for him to place the bags down near the door.

Still gasping for air, he managed to deliver the news. "Alpha Volkov wants you to begin your training at 10, with Seraphine."

"Thanks, Vasil. I better get ready then," I replied, mustering a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. Deep down, a suffocating feeling of jealousy weighed heavy on my chest.
My thoughts turned to Mia. The weight of worry settled upon me as I considered all that she had endured at such a young age. It had been too long since I last saw her, and I couldn't begin to fathom the pain and fear she must be grappling with after surviving the horrific attack.

Mia had already experienced the heart-wrenching loss of her father to the merciless virus that plagued our land, and now she had been thrust into the midst of yet another tragedy. The thought of her innocent spirit being burdened with such darkness filled me with an indescribable ache.

"I haven't seen Mia since the bonfire," I said, my voice tinged with concern and longing. "I can't even begin to imagine what she must be going through after everything that has happened."

Vasil's gaze softened, mirroring the weight of my worry. "She's been through so much already, at such a young age," he replied, his voice filled with empathy. "Losing her father and now facing this... It's unimaginable."

A heavy silence hung in the air as we shared a moment of understanding. The bond between Mia and me ran deep, and I yearned to provide her with solace and support during this tumultuous time.

"I need to see her before I begin my training," I declared, a determined edge in my voice. "She needs to know that she's not alone, that I'm here for her."
Vasil nodded in agreement, his expression reflecting his unwavering support. "I understand, Alivia. She is gone with Sarah and Agatha to the infirmary, she will be back in the evening. Mia needs all the love and reassurance she can get right now."

Grateful for Vasil's understanding, I held onto a glimmer of hope that I would soon be able to offer Mia the comfort she so desperately needed. In the midst of my own challenges and training, my heart remained tethered to her, driven by the desire to be a source of strength in her life.

As Adrienne and Vasil exited the room, I turned towards Jess, who had now fully awakened and was stretching her limbs. A mischievous glint sparkled in my eyes as I playfully poked fun at her.

"So, Adrienne came to check on you," I teased.

Jess grinned “It’s not like that he just went to get my stuff.”

I pretended to examine my nails. "Mmm hmm, that's why he was trying to peak in the room. I mean he could have just got Vasil to bring it, poor thing was carrying it on his own."

Jess's face turned red, and she threw a pillow at me. I quickly ducked, narrowly avoiding a fluffy projectile to the face.

"Nice try, Liv," she said, laughing. "But let's not forget about your secrets. Why is Dr. Volkov treating you like a delicate princess, Princess?"

I pretended to be offended, placing a hand dramatically over my heart. "Hey now, I am a delicate princess, thank you very much! It takes a team of highly trained professionals to handle my tiaras and pamper me with face masks."

Jess burst into laughter, her eyes crinkling with amusement. "Oh, how could I forget about your high-maintenance needs, Your Highness? I hope they didn't forget your royal sceptre and golden slippers."

Feigning shock, I gasped dramatically, widening my eyes. "How dare they overlook such essentials! Heads will roll in the kingdom!" We both dissolved into a fit of laughter, momentarily forgetting our worries and relishing in the light-hearted banter.

"Alright, alright," Jess said, stifling her laughter. "Enough of the royal theatrics. Get ready, you have training with Seraphine, and I have my classes to attend to."
I let out an exaggerated sigh, slumping my shoulders in mock defeat. "Ugh, do I really have to? Can't I just sit on my throne all day and eat grapes?"

Jess smirked, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Sorry, Your Majesty, but you'll have to earn those grapes. Off to training you go."
I pouted playfully but turn to get ready. "Fine, but I'm taking my royal sceptre with me. Can't leave without it."

Jess laughed as she kicked her legs off the bed and shuffled her way into the bathroom. "Whatever you say, Your Highness. Just don't forget to curtsey to Seraphine."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but smile. It was good to have a friend who could make me laugh even on the toughest of days.

I made my way towards the heavy bags that Vasil had brought in earlier. As I looked at the two bags, I couldn't help but feel a little anxious. I had no idea which one was mine, and Vasil had neglected to tell me.

Curiosity getting the better of me, I unzipped the first bag, my eyes scanning its contents in search of any clue. And there it was, sitting atop the pile as if beckoning me with a knowing smile. It was my father's journal, its worn pages filled with his artistic musings and cherished memories. A rush of warmth flooded my being, instantly connecting me to him once more.

But that wasn't all. Nestled beneath the journal was a sight that filled me with awe and relief—a stunning blue dress crafted from lightweight fabric. Its design exuded elegance, with long lace sleeves adding a touch of ethereal beauty. It was the perfect attire for my inaugural training session.

As Jess got out of the bathroom, I quickly grabbed the blue dress from the bag and headed towards the bathroom to change. Once inside, I stripped out of my clothes and washed up before slipping into the embrace of the lightweight fabric, I felt a sense of liberation and readiness. The dress caressed my skin, offering comfort and freedom of movement as I twirled in front of the mirror, marvelling at how it danced with every spin.

As I stepped out of the bathroom, I felt a sense of emptiness, as I realized that Jess had already set off for her art classes. The void left in her absence echoed the deeper longing I felt within my own heart. Art had always been my passion, my sanctuary of colours and creativity. The thought of not being able to attend classes tugged at the strings of my dreams, a bittersweet reminder of the sacrifices I had to make for the weightier responsibilities that lay ahead.

My fingertips grazed the vibrant hues of my father's journal, an embodiment of his artistic legacy and the path he had paved for me. As I flipped through its pages, his words whispered of inspiration and untamed aspirations, reigniting the fire within me. Yet, a part of me yearned for those stolen moments of artistic communion, the laughter shared amidst a canvas and paint-splattered aprons.

But the circumstances demanded my attention elsewhere. The stakes were higher, and the world teetered on the edge of uncertainty. The call to harness my latent magical abilities, to step into the realm of healing and mysticism, was an undeniable obligation I couldn't ignore. As much as it pained me to set aside my artistic pursuits, I understood that there were greater forces at play, urging me to chart a different course.

With a deep breath, I accepted the tugging ache within my chest. Art would always remain a cherished part of my soul, a whispering muse guiding my brushstrokes. For now, the canvas of destiny had shifted, demanding my focus on a different palette of skills and responsibilities.