"Cotton Crest Village," Abhi whispered to himself and opened the scroll with hurry. He turned it upside down, back and forth only to find nothing. He then looked at Taika with confusion.
Taika understood his expression and said, "There are many things hidden to the naked eye. Inorder to see and access them, magic is the only tool. So you need to use your power of magic to find the path you need using this scroll."
Abhi just nodded and closed his eyes. He started concentrating his power on them. After a while, the upper part of his face is filled with a mysterious glow. He then slowly opened his eyes and looked at the map.
The path along with the terrains started to unveil themselves on the scroll. The path started from the point he is standing and ended at the village. The map literally portrayed the way and the landscapes like an eagle would perceive from the far above skies.
"Master, this map changes its direction when I change mine. Why is that?" Abhi asked.
Taika nodded and said, "Yes Abhi, It shows you the easiest possible path to your destination. For example, if your way gets blocked by huge rocks from a sudden earthquake, it leads you through another way by changing your direction. But remember, the location of the village itself changes every time on the map."
"You mean, if I remember the path and try again going in the same path, won't I be able to reach the village like before? That Cotton Crest village seems so mystical. I guess it is not known to common people" Abhi asked again.
"Yes, you'll not reach that village unless you follow the map and everything you said is utterly true. This village is not visible to everyone and there are no common people living in that place. That is why you need to complete the mission with all your wit and might," Taika said sternly.
"What is the mission exactly, master? Can you please explain to me what I need to do?" Abhi asked seriously. He doesn't want to take any chances in this matter. The situation feels more dangerous than he thought.
Taika explained Abhi the mission and warned him about the dangers he is going to face. Abhi listened to everything with patience and registered each and every word in his mind.
Abhi feels this mission is not going to be easy but he wants to do it to save his loved one's.
"One more important thing Abhi. You should not lose this map at any cost. Many people are on hunt for this. Also, there is always an energy around it which attracts the attention of enemies. Until now I have sealed it in that box with my power making its attraction unnoticeable to others. But it's time, you need to use it. So you have to be very careful with your moves. I believe in you.." Taika explained.
"Okay Master I will act with utmost care." Abhi assured Taika.
Taika placed his hand on Abhi's shoulder and said, "You will understand everything in your journey Abhi. Be Strong."
Abhi looked into his eyes and nodded his head. He doesn't know why the master selected him. But one thing he is sure of is that he is going to put his life on the line.
"Master, I forgot..! Maira sent her greetings to you and also we planned to take down Jasmine first," Abhi said.
Taika smiled and was shocked after listening to Abhi's words. Maira always surprised him with her thoughts.
"Well then, It gives you some time to finish your mission Abhi. Use it wisely." Taika said.
Abhi just smiled and nodded his head. He took leave from his master and left the place. On his way out, he saw the student who helped him to see the master is sitting on the cot with his eyes closed. His head is falling down slowly and he wakes up with shock and again he resumes to sleep. Abhi smiled at his way of sleep and he put him down to bed properly and left.
While Taika was trying very hard to sleep, he got up from his bed and went to one of his rooms.
He opened one wooden box and took out a beautiful painting engraved on a sheet. He caressed the painting and said with a bitter smile, "Finally.. your wish is coming true".
"Abhi is safe until now. It is time he needs to know the truth. Wherever you are give him your blessings."
Taika sighed and closed the sheet. He placed it back in the wooden box.
'Surya why are you doing this? Why are you pushing me to do this? Why son? Why? I treated you as my son but still you are not over your greed,' Taika thought to himself and his eyes started to water.
When Abhi reached his home, the sun slowly rose in the horizon by spreading the yellow light everywhere.
He entered the home and went towards his mother's room. The maid greeted Abhi and opened the door letting him inside.
Before entering, he asked the maid about his mother's condition to which the maid replied.
"Mistress woke up after you left and asked for your master. I told her you went out and later she asked me for paper and ink."
"Paper and ink?" Abhi asked with a frown.
"Yes, young Master. After that she wrote something until she lost her consciousness. Later when she came awake, we fed her and put her to sleep," Maid explained.
Abhi thought for some time and said "Okay, you go and take rest for today. Send another maid while you're gone."
The maid nodded and left the place. Abhi slowly entered the room without making any noise. He looked at his mother who was sleeping peacefully on the bed and his eyes fell on the table by her side.
Abhi went near it and took the papers on it. It seems she wrote each and every detail in those papers. Abhi took the papers and left the room.
Abhi went to his room, freshen up and sat on his bed to read the papers. He took out one with the handwriting being too sloppy. It seems like someone is chasing her behind to complete it. Abhi pushed all his thoughts back and slowly started reading.
In the paper she put down every small thing that she saw in her dream. By turning each and every page his eyes widened and widened. His hands started trembling.
When he reached the last page he dropped the papers and they fell scattered on the floor.
On one page it is written, "Please take care of my son. Don't let him know about his parents. In fact you won't remember my words. But still raise him like your own son and never leave him for anything."
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