Trying to awaken the pendant

Aditya's mind raced with the images of fantasy movies as he sought inspiration to activate the pendant. 

 "First, let's concentrate my focus on the pendant and see if I can sense any connection" 

Aditya mused, fixing his gaze on the pendant adorning his neck as he lay on his bed.

**Haaa**

A nearby guy let out a loud yawn, shattering Aditya's concentration. 

"Well, trying to concentrate in the middle of ten beds surrounded in this compact room is a challenging task. Let's go out to the mountain near the orphanage and try this." 

Aditya decided, rising from his bed with determination to head towards the mountain. Aditya made his way up the mountain, navigating through the thick forest for several hours and eventually arrived at a small lake nestled in the mountain's lower slopes – a spot reminiscent of his childhood escape from the orphanage. 

The lake's topography boasted a picturesque landscape, with crystal-clear waters reflecting the surrounding lush greenery, and the tranquil atmosphere inviting a moment of reflection amidst nature's beauty.

"Waa! Even though I've been to this place many times, it still sends goosebumps down my spine"

 "Okay! Now, let's try to activate this pendant! I'm dying of curiosity to see what it holds." 

He said as he touched his pendant and gazed at it with curious eyes.

"Focus!...Focus!..." 

Aditya murmured, attempting to concentrate on the pendant hanging around his neck.

Aditya's unwavering focus fixated solely on the pendant. Despite the exhaustion seeping in from the arduous climb up the mountain, he remained rooted in place for hours, his determination unwavering. His unyielding focus, endurance, and sheer willpower reflect the rigorous training he underwent during his childhood, all in pursuit of strength.

Aditya turned to enhancing his physical prowess since the magical powers he yearned for remained out of reach. Under the tutelage of the Orphanage director, a seasoned martial artist, he delved into martial arts training. Days blurred into meditation sessions atop the mountain, where he lost himself to introspection, oblivious to the world around him.

"What the heck? Why is it silent even after I meditated for hours? I can't sense anything except its weight. Aah! Its weight is killing me! Even if I awaken any power, there is no way I can wear it comfortably. Who made this damn pendant so heavy?" 

"Perhaps meditation isn't the way to awaken it, I think." 

Aditya pondered, gazing at the sky. He scratched his head thoughtfully. 

"I thought I finally got what I yearned for. But, how to activate this? No, I waited for 15 years, so a day won't be hard."

Aditya stubbornly kept his full focus on the pendant. As he concentrated, he noticed a subtle, vapor-like energy being absorbed by the pendant from the surroundings. Though he could feel it, he couldn't do anything about it. It felt natural for that item to do that.

"I need to return to the Orphanage now to go to school. At least, I need to go just to see that old man and ask about that damn scroll to check what I am gonna do with this Pendant." 

He muttered, pushing himself up from the rock and beginning his descent down the mountain. Later, Aditya returned to the orphanage, his thoughts still lingering on the mysterious scroll and pendant. Exhausted, he collapsed onto his bed and drifted into sleep.

As morning approached, he hurried towards his school. As he entered the school gate, Aditya made a beeline for the garden, hoping to find the old man there. 

"Ha! Just as I suspected, he's not here. Where could he be? I should've at least asked for his number or address." 

Aditya muttered, scratching his head. He scoured the area for an hour, but the old man remained elusive, so he dashed towards the classroom.

As the school day concluded, Aditya made his way to the orphanage. Upon arrival, he noticed Maya seated in the playground amidst scattered sand and a solitary swing, with buckets nearby. Her troubled expression immediately drew Aditya's focus.

Aditya approached Maya in the playground, concern evident in his voice. 

"What happened to my doll?" 

He inquired, noticing her sad expression. Maya quickly stood up and rushed into Aditya's arms. Her face lit up as if a switch had been flipped.

"Adi, I missed you!"

She exclaimed. Aditya, taken aback, tried to balance her weight. 

"Woah! Careful."

"Why are you so weak now? Are you alright?" 

"I'm okay, just hungry," 

Aditya responded, while affectionately patting her head. 

"Hungry? Come with me to the kitchen." 

Maya gently took Aditya's hand, leading him towards the kitchen of the orphanage. She invited warmly, her fingers entwined with his as she guided him along.

"Careful! I'm not that hungry! Take it slow." 

Aditya cautioned, his pace slowing as he tried to match Maya's enthusiasm. Together, they stepped into the bustling kitchen, filled with warmth and the aroma of cooking food.

"I will make you something, Adi. Be a good boy and sit down, ok?" 

Maya offered kindly, gesturing towards a sturdy stone platform where Aditya could perch. With a nod, Aditya settled onto the platform, his eyes filled with concern as he observed Maya's demeanor.

"Why were you looking sad? Is there anyone who bullied my doll?" 

He inquired, his voice tinged with worry as he tightly clenched his fists, ready to defend his sister.

"Pfft! Why? Are you going to beat up the kids for me? Don't worry, no one bullied me, Adi,"

Maya glanced at Aditya's clenched fists, a warm smile gracing her face as she remarked, proud of his anger.

"Then, what happened?" 

Aditya inquired.

"That's... well..." 

"Nothing! I tore my school uniform and I don't have any to wear tomorrow." 

For her, something so simple for other children was a luxury.

"What? that's all? i have some money saved. Here! take this and buy the uniform from the school tomorrow. wear your casual clothes till you get that."

Aditya's expression softened as he reached into his pocket, retrieving the crumpled money he had saved, and handed it to her. 

[Next morning]

"This isn't leading me anywhere. I can attempt to manipulate that vapor-like energy being absorbed by the pendant, but I'm powerless against it. I exhausted every method I know throughout the night, yet it yielded no results. The only glimmer of hope lies within the old man's scroll."

Aditya strolled toward his school, contemplating.

**BANG**

"Awk! Who's that?"

Aditya instinctively shields his head as a stone makes contact with the back of his neck. 

"Haha! That's so accurate, Vinay."

Laughter ensues, and a voice from behind a tree reveals. 

"Isn't it?"

The source of the mischief, Vinay, joins the scene, questioning with a sarcastic smile. As Vinay approaches, two more individuals emerge from behind him.