I wake up to the sound of my phone blowing up,
[50+ new messages] I groan,still half asleep and grab my phone to see who could be bothering me.
—
Mr. Cranky
The meeting starts in 30 minutes
Why aren't you replying?
Did you change your mind?
Hello?????
????
Where are you???
THE MEETING STARTS IN 5 MINUTES
—
I can feel the growing panic through each message, I blink a few times and I realize a little to late that I only have 3 minutes before I'm late to the meeting.
I leap out of the couch and run to my room digging through my closet trying to find anything wearable I throw on the first outfit that is wearable and attempt brushing my hair before realizing it's a lost cause and throwing away my hairbrush.
Knowing I have a lecture waiting for me if I'm even a second late I decide to teleport to the meeting.
Blue light starts to emerge around me and my room starts to get distorted, I clutch my stomach feeling nauseous from the site, and then—
I'm in front of my secretary who is still desperately messaging me unaware I'm right behind him. "I'm here" I said out of breath "FINA- "he spins around "Why do you look like that?"
I give him a glare and he shuts his mouth "Just lead the way."
We arrive at the room. And I tap the keycard, opening the door.
"well it looks like someone just woke up" she whispers to the person beside her just loud enough so everyone can hear, I roll my eyes "what's her problem?" I mutter under my breath, I ignoring her comment I take a seat.
"Ahem" the official starts "well now that we're all here let's start the meeting" he throws a stack of paper on the table," according to our officials the dungeon has been opened, and we have a more accurate reading now" he pauses before continuing "although the type of dungeon is still unknown" I pull a piece of paper towards me and scan it.
—
[Sealed dungeon 2]
Dungeon difficulty: S
Dungeon limit: 5
Dungeon type: N/A
Dungeon break time: 1 Wk & 6 days
—
I lift my head and glance around the table, "There's six of us?" I raise a brow.
The official hesitates "Well.. it was originally thought to have no limit but it looks like.."
He trails off, an awkward silence filling the room.
And I turn to the girl who mocked me earlier
"You," I say
She straightens "Yes?"
"You're a mage right?"
She hesitates" Yes.."
I give her a smile and turn back to the official "Why would we need two mages? I'm right here" I say,waving around my hand casually as I continue on "If I'm not mistaken, I got the highest evaluation out of all mages during the magic exam. I don't know why we would need another mage."
I hear her scoff beside me "Ha! You think you can take on that burden in a sealed dungeon?"
I turn to her and meet her eyes "Yes."
her confidence wavers and she opens her mouth, then closes it again, I glance at the official who is now fidgeting nervously "Well, um.."
I sigh "Whoever is in Favour of removing the mage, raise your hand"
I see 3 hands shoot up not including mine which means majority votes in agreement, I smile feeling satisfied
"Well! That settles it does it not?" I mock her tone earlier, I can see the heat rise to her face as she storms out now leaving the room in silence.
"Continue" the sword saint says, breaking the tension.
the rest of the meeting wrapped up quickly and we were set to raid the dungeon in four days,
"Did you really have to do that?" My secretary asks as we leave the room
"Do what?" I continue to frame ignorance as I stuff my face with a sandwich he bought for me, he sighs and I can tell he has something to say
"Just say it."
He fidgets some more contemplating what he should say "Well.. I mean just, be careful" I look up at him seeing the embarrassment in his face
"I'll be fine, promise."
he breaks eye contact and stares outside "Alright" a pause "I trust you" the rest of the walk in silence, at the front of the building I wave him goodbye and push away the strange heaviness in my chest because I had something else I had to prepare for something much more important.
I open my phone and click my uncles contact information and prepare to send him a message ignoring how dry our conversations are.
—
Uncle Ma
I'll arrive tomorrow.
—
I click the send and stare at the message before turning my phone off,
My mind a mess as I drive to my apartment.
once home I decide to bury myself again in my research.
I open the door to my study and feel comfortable in the familiar surroundings, I pull out my chair and look at the board once again.
Replaying the same clip over and over again in my head… I reach out and touch the screen "Just what are you doing?…" silence ensues,
I sigh knowing I'm not getting anything done in the state I'm in but I have no choice.
I flip through the same book over and over again, I've read it so many times that I can recite it now, eventually I fall asleep to the comfort of the books and my notes.
The next morning was a blur,and before I knew it I arrived in front of my uncles door clutching my jacket and raising my hand to knock, but the door opens before I could,my hand still in the middle of the air.
I see my uncle's face, now older than a year ago when I last saw him, and it hits me how time really stops for no one.
"Hey ris" His greeting filled with so much warmth, "Hey, Can I come in?" I say, nervous like I was the same kid 10 years ago— I hate it.
"Of course! Come in, I just cleaned your room" he says proudly, my heart warms knowing he could've gotten others to do it but decided to do it himself "Thanks" I offer a sweet smile.
He grabs my bags and brings them to my room despite my insistence on carrying them myself, "Have you eaten yet?" He asked me not looking up from what he was doing. "No, I was hoping we could eat together" I fidget, talking to my uncle always makes me nervous for some reason "I'd love that,same restaurant?"
"Yes, same restaurant." I say my answer like it was rehearsed.
We fall into our usual rhythm—a quiet understanding we've always shared.
The day passes quickly. That night, I sit in my childhood room, the one filled with so many memories. I twist a strand of hair and stare out the window.
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight."
The next morning we set off quickly, heading to her resting place, I stare out the window with my mind blank.
I kneel in front of her grave putting down the flowers gently and wipe away the dirt clinging to the carved letters. I sat quietly just… staring
"You okay ris" he slowly rubs my back warm and patient.
"It's just.. hard" I have so much to say but words won't come out, my uncle noticing my reluctance steps away to give me some space, and I'm thankful. He's always known when to give me space to sort out my thoughts.
"Hey mom.." My voice sounding small, like the kid from 10 years ago, I laugh to myself "You know.. you think it would get easier as time passes" I pause biting my lip, tears now welling up despite myself"But it seems to just get harder" my voice barely above a whisper.
I take out a box I had prepared for her birthday and gently place it on her grave, "It's a magic locket" running my fingers across the lid,
"I created it for you.. you can filter through different pictures of places and things I know you would have loved to see."
I look up at the sky trying to keep my tears from escaping "you know mom, I haven't been the nicest to uncle." My voice falters as I look towards where he was.
"I haven't been visiting him much ever since I moved out" more silence follows
"He just reminds me so much of you, and I can't —
"I just can't handle it and I don't even know why."
And just like that I break, I cried like a little kid- like the little girl who once ran to her mom for everything, and never thought she'd lose her
By the time I pull myself together my eyes are puffy and it's obvious I have been crying, my uncle walks back and notices my dirt covered hands. He kneels down without a word and gently wipes them clean.
We meet eyes, and for a moment, everything's understood without speaking.
He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and I lean forward, wrapping my arms around him.
I feel him stiffen in surprise then slowly, tightly, he hugs me back