Dual Heritage Ch. 03

7

Mark felt the walls of his room closing in on him, the weight of his newfound knowledge too heavy to bear in solitude. He grabbed his coat and headed for the sanctuary he'd found in a nearby park, a secluded spot where he could be alone with his thoughts—and his burgeoning powers.

He walked through the winding paths of the park, feeling the cool breeze on his face and the sound of the leaves rustling under his feet. He made his way towards a secluded spot he had discovered earlier, away from the prying eyes of other park-goers.

Sitting cross-legged on the soft grass, Mark closed his eyes and took a deep, centering breath. His hands began to glow with an ethereal blue light, a manifestation of his power. It was time to test the boundaries of his abilities.

With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a small ball of light, watching it dance around in the air before him. With a sweeping motion of his hand, the ball of light shot across the clearing, leaving a trail of light in its wake.

Mark smiled as he watched the ball of light trail, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. He continued to practice his magic, experimenting with different spells and incantations.

As he practiced, he couldn't help but think about his parents and their own mastery of magic. He wondered what kind of spells they could cast and what kind of power they held. What spells had they known? What secrets had they taken to their graves? The questions gnawed at him, each unanswered query fueling a growing tempest of emotion.

As the thought of his parents crossed his mind, Mark's emotions started to get the best of him. He felt a surge of anger and frustration building up inside of him. He tried to focus, but the emotions were too strong.

His concentration shattered, and the orb of light flickered erratically before extinguishing.

Mark's eyes snapped open, the sudden absence of light mirroring the void he felt within. His emotions had betrayed him, disrupting the delicate balance of his magical energies.

He exhaled deeply, recalling Aunt Lida's cautionary words about the volatile nature of their family's magic. He couldn't afford to let his emotions run rampant; the stakes were too high.

Centering himself once more, Mark resumed his magical exercises. Yet, as he conjured and manipulated the elements, his thoughts drifted to the scant memories he had of his parents wielding magic. They had shown him parlor tricks, simple illusions like vanishing coins or levitating trinkets. But he had never witnessed the full scope of their magical prowess.

Suddenly, he heard a rustling in the bushes nearby. Mark's eyes snapped open, and he immediately stopped his practice. He looked around but saw nothing. He tried to dismiss the sound, thinking it was just an animal in the bushes.

However, the rustling grew louder, and Mark's senses were on high alert. He stood up, ready to defend himself if necessary.

A figure materialized from the shadows, a man shrouded in an aura so dark it seemed to swallow the light around him. He was tall, imposing, and exuded an air of malevolence that made Mark's skin crawl.

"Well, well, well," he said in a deep, menacing voice. "What do we have here? A young magi, all alone in the park."

"Who are you?"

"Someone you should fear," he replied chuckling.

Before Mark could react, the stranger lunged at him with supernatural speed, his fist crackling with dark energy. Mark barely had time to summon a wind barrier, deflecting the attack but sending him skidding back.

The fight intensified as they exchanged blows and spells. Mark used his agility and quick thinking to stay one step ahead, but he could tell that his opponent was a skilled fighter.

"You seemed to be strong, but you lack experience," the stranger taunted, hurling a blast of energy at Mark.

Mark quickly conjured a shield to protect himself. His adrenaline was pumping as he dodged and weaved through the stranger's attacks. He was surprised by the man's strength and skill, but Mark's own magical abilities helped him keep up.

He rolled to the side, dodging the bolt, and retaliated with a fireball. The stranger deflected it with a wave of his hand and unleashed a torrent of shadowy tendrils.

"Enough games," Mark muttered, his eyes glowing brighter. He channeled his energy and unleashed a shock wave of light, momentarily blinding his opponent.

Seizing the moment, he summoned ethereal chains that shot from his hands, aiming to bind the stranger. But the man shattered them with a guttural incantation, his eyes now glowing a sinister red.

He let out a powerful burst of energy, sending Mark flying backward. He landed hard on the ground, his breath knocked out of him.

"You're not bad for a youngling," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But you're no match for me."

Mark struggled to catch his breath as he scrambled to his feet. He focused his energy, and his hands started to glow with a bright blue light.

The two continued to trade blows, each one more ferocious than the last. Mark could feel his energy draining with each spell he cast.

I have to end this soon...

The stranger charged again, but this time Mark was ready. He channeled his energy into a powerful burst of light that slammed into the stranger, sending him flying backward.

"You underestimate me, boy," he growled, summoning a dark vortex in his palm.

The stranger lunged, his vortex expanding, ready to consume him . But Mark was quicker this time. With a shout, he released a concentrated beam of pure energy, colliding with the vortex.

For a moment, the world seemed to stand still as light and darkness clashed in a cataclysmic struggle. Then, with a deafening explosion, Mark's beam shattered the vortex, sending the stranger crashing into the trees, defeated and disoriented.

"You...how are you this strong?"

"Who are you? What do you want?"

The stranger let out a weak laugh. "You'll find out soon enough, little magi," he sneered, before disappearing into thin air.

Mark stood there, panting and exhausted, as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.

Who the fuck is that?

Mark's senses were still tingling as he left the park, the stranger's dark aura lingering in the air like a malevolent mist. The atmosphere felt unnaturally cold, as if the stranger had left a residual chill in his wake.

As he walked towards his home, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The encounter with the stranger had left him feeling shaken and confused. He wondered who the stranger was and what he wanted from him.

Walking through the streets, Mark felt the weight of curious eyes on him. Glancing down, he realized his clothes were torn and singed and realized that he must have looked like a mess.

He found his aunt sitting in the living room, watching TV. She looked up and noticed his disheveled appearance. "Oh my god, Mark! What happened to you?"

"I don't know. I was attacked by some stranger while practicing my spells."

"Oh no, are you hurt? Let me see."

"No, I'm fine. Just a few scrapes and bruises."

She sighed in relief. "Thank goodness. Come on, let's get you cleaned up." She ushered him upstairs and handed him a towel. "Take a shower and get into some clean clothes. We'll talk about this after you've had some rest."

Once inside the bathroom, he took off his torn clothes and examined the bruises and cuts on his body. He couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of his stomach.

Who was that man? And what did he want?

The warm steam enveloped him as he turned on the shower, and he couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance to finally wash away the grime and sweat from the day's events.

The warmth of the water helped ease the tension in his muscles and the pain in his body. He leaned his forehead against the tiles, feeling the water pour down over his back. It was a small moment of peace and calm, a break from the chaos of the outside world.

As he stood under the stream of water, he let his mind wander. Who was that stranger? What did he want? And why did he attack him in the park? These questions swirled around in Mark's head as he washed himself clean.

Finally, he stepped out of the shower and wrapped himself in a towel. He looked in the mirror and saw the remnants of the battle still evident on his body. Bruises and cuts adorned his skin, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. He dried himself off and got dressed, feeling a little more refreshed.

He knew he needed to tell his aunt everything, but he also didn't want to worry her. He took a deep breath and opened the bathroom door, walking back to the living room where Lida was waiting.

"Feeling better?"

"Yeah, thanks. I'm sorry about the mess."

"Don't worry about it," his aunt said, waving it off. "Just tell me what happened."

He took a seat on the couch and began to recount the events of the day. His aunt listened intently, her expression growing more concerned with each passing moment.

"Do you know who he might be? Or have any idea what he might want with me?"

"It could be a magi hunter."

"A magi hunter? I never thought I'd encounter one,"

She nodded gravely. "Yes, they're a dangerous lot who hunt down people with magical abilities. They believe that magic is an abomination and must be eradicated from this world."

"But if they hate magic so much, why do they use it?"

"Not all magi hunters use magic themselves," his aunt explained. "Some of them rely on technology or other means to track down and capture their targets. But there are some who do use magic, either because they believe that magic is dangerous and needs to be controlled," his aunt explained. "They think that if they can gather enough magi and control them, they can prevent magic from being used to cause harm."

"Isn't that just as bad?"

"Many people think so," his aunt replied. "That's why there's a lot of tension between magi and magi hunters. Some believe that magi hunters are simply misguided, while others see them as a threat to our very existence. And some people just enjoy the power and control that comes with hunting down magi."

"That's messed up."

"Indeed," Aunt Lida agreed. "It's a warped ideology, but it's what fuels them. They believe their ends justify their means, no matter how twisted those means are."

"What do we do now?"

"Well, first things first, we need to make sure you're safe," she replied. "I'll contact some of my friends and see if they can help us figure out who this hunter is and what he wants. In the meantime, you should be careful and avoid going out alone. Also, avoid practicing magic in public places, and be on the lookout for anyone who looks suspicious"

She reached over and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "But for now, you need rest. You've been through a lot."

As he retreated to his room, the weight of the day's events bore down on him. He lay in bed, his mind racing despite his body's plea for sleep. The muffled sound of his aunt's voice, speaking in hushed tones on the phone, drifted through the walls.

Despite his exhaustion, sleep eluded Mark. He tossed and turned, his mind a whirlpool of thoughts replaying the day's unsettling events. Just as he was about to surrender to another round of overthinking, his phone buzzed on the nightstand.

With a groan, he picked it up and unlocked the screen. His eyes widened at the sight of a photo of Ria. She was posed in front of a mirror, her lacy black bra struggling to contain her voluptuous curves. Her lips formed a seductive pout.

Just for you, lover. X... the caption read.

His heart pounding, Mark quickly typed, Damn, you look so hot. All for me?

Her reply was almost instantaneous. Of course, all for just my baby.

As Mark stared at the photo, he couldn't help but feel his heart rate increase and his body temperature rise. The way she pushed her chest forward, accentuating her ample breasts, was enough to make Mark's mouth go dry.

Those breasts are fighting hard against that bra, babe. Can't wait to set them free 😉, he typed back.

Mmm, I can't wait to feel your hands on me again, she responded.

I want you too, baby. Been thinking about you all day, she replied, sending another photo of her biting her lip.

I wish you were here with me, Mark texted, his excitement barely contained.

I wish I was there too, Ria shot back, attaching another photo of her on the bed, legs slightly apart. Want to see more?

Mark's eyes widened, his body reacting instantly. Yes.

Ria's next photo showed her hands caressing her breasts. Do you like what you see, baby?

His breathing grew heavier. Yes, I love it. I want to touch you, he replied, his thoughts racing.

I want you too, baby. Can't wait to be with you again, Ria texted.

Let's have dinner together. I want to see you so badly, Mark suggested.

Sounds good to me, Ria agreed.

So, where do you want to go? Mark inquired.

How about that new Italian place downtown? Heard they have amazing pasta, Ria suggested.

Sounds perfect. Seven work for you?

Seven works for me, she confirmed.

I can't wait to see you.

Me too, babe. she replied.

Mark set an alarm and finally managed to drift into a restless sleep. When the alarm jolted him awake, he rubbed his eyes and sat up, feeling surprisingly refreshed despite the whirlwind of emotions he'd been through. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and made his way to the closet, his mind already racing with what the evening had in store.

After a few minutes of deliberation, he settled on a simple outfit: a crisp white shirt, dark jeans, and a pair of black leather shoes. He combed his hair and checked himself in the mirror, feeling pretty good and ready for the night ahead.

Thoughts of the future drifted in as he gazed at his reflection.

A wave of doubt washed over him. He realized how little he actually knew about Ria. Sure, they had chemistry, but what did he know about her dreams, her fears, or her past? What did she know about him? Were they compatible in the ways that mattered for a long-term relationship?

He shook his head, trying to dispel the intrusive thoughts. Taking a deep breath, he reminded himself to focus on the present.

As Mark made his way downstairs, his aunt Lida looked up from her book and asked, "Where are you off to dear?"

"I'm going out to dinner."

Lida raised an eyebrow, "A date, perhaps?"

"Yeah, I'm meeting up with Ria."

"Are you sure you should be going out tonight?"

"I'll be careful, Aunt. I promise."

"Just be careful, okay? And keep your phone with you at all times. Call me if anything happens," she said, her voice full of maternal concern.

"Will do," he nodded, heading for the door.

"Hold on," she interjected, grabbing his hand. "Athara luthien tariel," her voice echoed throughout the room. "Harn en galad, harn en elenath, harn en taur'ohtar."

A faint glow began to emanate from her hands, and Mark felt a tingling sensation spreading throughout his body. The words themselves were almost hypnotic.

After a few more moments, she stopped chanting, and the glow faded from her hands.

"What did you just do?"

"Tracking spell," she explained. "It will keep you safe and help me keep an eye on you."

Just before leaving, he turned around, "Hey, did you use this spell to track me and Ron whenever we snuck out of the house?"

"A witch never reveals her secrets," she replied with a mischievous grin.

He grinned, "Well, you're a lifesaver. I promise I'll be careful tonight."

Lida nodded, "Be vigilant, Mark. You never know who or what you might encounter out there."

"Don't worry. I'll be fine," he said reassuringly, trying to ease her worries.

Stepping into the night, Mark felt the cool breeze invigorate him. Thoughts of magi hunters briefly clouded his mind, but he shook them off, focusing on the evening ahead with Ria.

8

As he drove to the restaurant, he couldn't help but smile to himself, thinking about all the possibilities that the night held. He parked his car and made his way inside

He made his way towards the entrance of the restaurant, taking in the modern building's sleek and polished design. The walls were adorned with vibrant paintings depicting Italian landscapes, and the lighting was dim enough to create a warm and intimate atmosphere.

The entrance led him to a spacious foyer, where he was greeted by the hostess, a young woman in her mid-twenties with a friendly smile, who greeted him with a warm welcome.

"Good evening, sir. Do you have a reservation?" She asked politely.

"No, but there should be a person named Ria waiting for me."

The hostess checks her tablet and nods. "Ah, yes. Right this way, sir," she says, leading him through the restaurant

As they walk, Mark takes in the sights and sounds of the restaurant. The décor is modern, with sleek metal accents and clean lines. Soft lighting casts a warm glow over the tables, and the sound of clinking glasses and laughter fills the air.

They reached a secluded table, perfectly intimate for the evening ahead.

Ria was already there, radiant in a red cocktail dress that showcased her figure to perfection. The neckline was daring yet tasteful, and her long, wavy brown hair framed her face, which was enhanced by minimal makeup.

Spotting Mark, she rose gracefully, her hips swaying as she approached. "Hey, baby," she murmured, looping her arms around his neck for a passionate kiss. Mark reciprocated, his arms encircling her waist, drawing her close. For a moment, they were the only two people in the room.

Breaking the kiss, they caught their breath. Ria led Mark to their candlelit table, adorned with fresh flowers.

"You know, I've been looking forward to this all day."

"Likewise. You look stunning," Mark replied, his gaze intense.

She chuckled. "You clean up pretty well yourself."

"I thought I should make an effort for our first official date."

"As if you didn't already won me over that night at my parents' house," she teased.

"Maybe I was a bit too bold."

"It was bold in the best way," she assured him, intertwining her fingers with his. "I loved it."

Mark grinned, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "That's good to hear."

Their eyes locked, each lost in the other's gaze, until a waitress arrived to break the spell. "Good evening, welcome to La Trattoria. May I start you off with some drinks?" she inquired, notepad at the ready.

"What'll it be?"

"A glass of red wine, please."

"Make it two," Mark told the waitress, who nodded and left to fulfill their order.