Chapter 18: Grantha


    3 monthster


    ~~~~~


    "Perfect, now I think we are ready," said Advika as she jumped down the white rock.


    Zarna set off the fire set by Tej with her power of water.


    Ray managed to cover the forest with dark blue clouds. "Finally, the power to manipte the sky," he


    said and adjusted his light blue headband.


    "I don''t believe we did this in just 3 months," said Maya and spread her arms.


    Advika tied her hair into a bun as Tej watched her from the corner of his eyes; the trees in the forest


    swayed side to side.


    "Stop it, Maya," said Zarna. "It''s 4 guys, let''s go."


    "Ouch!" said Advika and fell into Tej''s arms. She had stepped on a stone and lost bnce. "Careful


    sweet- ... I mean Advika," said Tej; their eyes locked.


    Ray and Zarna smiled at other each. Maya faked a cough. "Should we go?" she said and began


    walking towards the opening of the forest. Advika and Tej came out of their trance-like state and


    followed her.


    "Dude, just tell her already," whispered Ray and kept his hand on Tej''s shoulder. "Yes, please," added


    Zarna. Tej nodded his head in a no and smiled.


    "Maya!" screamed Advika as she fell to the ground.


    "Brace yourselves!" cried Maya and got to her feet, ready to fight.


    Tej and Ray jumped on a boy, Maya snatched his sword. Advika ran towards the white rock where she


    always left the book. She nced at her watch. Why isn''t the forest disappearing?


    Electric pulse left his hands in the form of a psi ball. The four friendsnded on the ground with a thud.


    "Advika," whispered Tej and looked at Ray.


    "The book," said Maya and got to her feet. The boy tied them with an invisible rope. They could not


    move an inch but felt the tug as they tried to move. "Who are you!?" questioned Maya struggling to free


    her hands. "What do you want?" asked Zarna.


    The boy paid no heed to their questions and tied them to a tree nearby. He picked up his sword and ran


    towards the white rock.


    "Tej, no," said Maya as she noticed what Tej was doing. "Don''t set the invisible rope on fire, it''ll burn us


    too," she said.


    "But, Advika," said Tej. "She''s alone there."


    ~~~~~


    Advika hid behind the white rock holding the book in her hands. What do I do? He''s too strong to put up


    a fight.


    "I know you''re here," said a voice.


    Advika shut her eyes. "My dear book, please help me," she whispered.


    "Listen, don''t waste my time," said the boy moving towards the white rock. "If you don''te out, I''ll kill


    your friends."


    "No, he won''t," Advika heard a female voice say. She looked around frantically, making sure not to step


    or sit on any of the leaves beneath. She didn''t want to attract any kind of attention.


    "I''m Grantha, the book," said the voice almost in a whisper. Advika nced at the book, surprised.


    "You. . . can talk?" she questioned not believing her ears.


    "Do as I say," said the book.


    "But what about my friends?" said Advika.


    "I promise you I''ll protect them, now do as I say," said Grantha.


    ~~~~~~


    "Only if Advika was here," said Maya, struggling to untie her hands. "We could destroy the rope, it


    takes the power of five. How could she run away like that?"


    "She went to protect the book," defended Tej.


    "Oh, really! The book can do that itself, it doesn''t need us, we need its powers," Maya almost


    screamed.


    "Okay, guys, focus," said Ray. "Stop fidgetting with the rope, Maya."


    "Yes, please guys, calm down, we need to focus on our collective powers, arguing will only dissipate


    our energies," said Zarna.


    "But without Advika-" protested Maya.


    "Let''s give it a try at least," said Ray and shut his eyes. The others followed suit.


    ~~~~~~


    "Rishi! Rishi!" called Rutuja descending the stairs of the old cottage. "Easy girl, you''ll break one of


    those steps," said Rishi from the small dining area in the hall. "I wonder how it is still standing," he


    added as he poured some milk in a ss.


    The small cottage perched on the in near the woods, so old and poor that it was surprising how it


    was still standing. And yet it seemed alive and weing, a warm ribbon of smoke rising from the old


    chimney. The walls were made up of the same wood and the roof was stone, so old that it was a


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    wonder how it did not cave in yet. The cottage was the only thing there. There were no other houses


    around it, and this one would have looked abandoned if not for the smoke.


    "Daksh is missing," said Rutuja and stood in front of Rishi.


    "He''s not a kid, Rutu," he said applying some peanut butter on the bread. "He''ll be fine, don''t worry."


    "You don''t understand," said Rutuja and wore her sandals. "Master Indra has asked us to stay indoors."


    "His son doesn''t understand that," said Rishi and took a bite of the bread. "I''m going to look for him,"


    she said heading towards the door.


    Rishi snapped his fingers.


    The door and windows of the cottage shut at once.


    Rutuja swivelled. Anger evident in her eyes.


    Rishi looked her in the eye. "You''re not going anywhere," he said.


    "Yeah? Try me," said Rutuja and pped. The door opened instantly.


    Rishi got up from the chair and walked towards her. "I don''t believe this Ru you''re ready to fight with me


    for him," he said. He pursed his lips as though he was fighting back tears.


    "Rishi, I would have done the same thing for you," she said holding his hand. "It''s about the mission,


    not a person."


    "I''ll go with you then," he said.