《The Secrets of the Elements》


 Chapter 4: Mayas Vision

    Chapter 4: Maya''s Vision


    Zarna adjusted the pillow as Tej ced Maya on the bed. Advika stood at the foot of the bed. Her heart


    racing; hands crossed.


    "Advika, just rx," said Ray as he ced her hand on her shoulder. She let out a sigh. "She''ll be fine,"


    said Zarna, patting Maya''s head.


    "Maybe we''re going wrong somewhere," said Advika. "No, Advika, we''re just not able to take this


    energy," said Tej. "I feel the same," said Zarna. "Maya," said Advika and rushed towards her.


    Her lip quivering; hands shivering.


    "I think we should take her to a doctor," said Ray. "Maybe," said Tej and nced at Advika. "I have no


    idea what excuse we are going to make for her..." she trailed off.


    Maya opened her eyes, sitting upright.


    "Maya," said Advika and held her hand. "Are you fine?" asked Zarna. Ray handed her a ss of water.


    Advika helped her drink the water.


    "I''m fine," said Maya. "You''re lying," said Advika. "What is it that you''re hiding?"


    "What is it, Advika?" asked Zarna. "Look at her eyes, she''s lying," said Advika. "Okay, give her a


    minute," said Tej.


    "Yeah, what will you guys have?" asked Ray changing the topic.


    "The golden opportunity of having food cooked by chef Ray himself," said Zarna and giggled. Advika


    smiled, "A strong coffee for me," she said. "Cheese sandwiches or noodles will do," said Zarna and


    looked at Tej. "Yeah, no problem," he said. Maya smiled and nodded her head. "I''ll help you," said


    Advika and followed him to the kitchen downstairs.


    "What''s wrong, Maya?" asked Tej as he sat beside her. "I saw Advika," she murmured. "You dreamt of


    her? But what?" asked Zarna. "No, it wasn''t a dream. It was more like a vision," said Maya and rested


    her head on the pillow. "What was it?" asked Tej as he plugged the charger to his phone.


    "Advika, she was with this guy, I''ve never seen him before," said Maya and touched her forehead


    closing her eyes. "What was she doing?" asked Tej.


    "She was holding his hands. He gave her a dagger and disappeared," said Maya as she opened her


    eyes. "Dagger?" said Tej puzzled.


    "Was he cute?" asked Zarna. Tej looked at Zarna and titled his head. "What? I was just asking,"


    defended Zarna. "Ya, he was tall, good-looking, wore a ck shirt and jeans, spiked hair, blue eyes.


    That''s all I remember," revealed Maya. "That''s a lot to remember," said Tej. "Are we going to tell this to


    Advika?" asked Zarna. "We will," said Tej.


    "No," opposed Maya. "I don''t know how she''ll react."


    "Well, Maya, if you remember, we had promised each other," said Tej. "I do remember the promise,


    Tej," said Maya. "But..."


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    "We will tell her. Everyone needs to know this. We''re a team." dered Tej.


    Advika and Ray entered the room with a tray in their hands. Zarna helped Advika with the coffee mugs.


    Tej picked up a te of noodles and passed it to Maya. "Your green tea," said Advika and kept a cup


    on the bed. "Advika, we have something to say," said Zarna. "Shoot," said Advika and sipped the


    coffee.


    "Maya had a vision," started Zarna.


    Ray stuffed a handful of noodles in his mouth.


    "A vision?" he said.


    "You were with this guy we don''t know. He gave you a dagger and disappeared," said Zarna. "He was


    tall and had blue eyes, spiked hair. Do you know a guy like that?" she asked.


    "No," said Advika.


    "Do you even have any male friends other than us?" asked Ray.


    "No," said Advika and took a bite of the noodles.


    "Then who was that guy you were talking to the other day?" asked Maya.


    "He was my ssmate from junior college," said Advika. "How was the dagger? How did it look?" she


    asked.


    "It looked like silver, blue gems embellished in it. It was splendid," said Maya.


    "So, you think I''ll betray you, you guys?" asked Advika and looked at Maya.


    "No, Advika I thought..." Maya stopped mid-sentence. "Advika, no one''s betraying anyone here," said


    Tej.


    "The thing is that the vision you saw, might be false," said Advika.


    "What do you mean?" asked Ray.


    "You do know this, Maya," said Advika.


    "If you see a vision, there are chances that someone wants you to see it. It might be a warning or trap,"


    said Advika.


    "You mean, there is someone who''s trying to deceive us, or warn us," quizzed Zarna.


    "How do we know if he or she is a friend or enemy?" wondered Ray.


    "I have no idea, yet," said Advika.


    "I guess you''ve read a lot of books on this topic," said Ray.


    "Maya also has, FYI," said Advika bluntly.


    "I wasn''t using you," said Maya.


    "Being a student of paranormal studies, you know things better than me, Maya," said Advika.


    "Yes, I know. But, I was telling what I saw," said Maya.


    "Okay guys," interrupted Tej.


    "It''s okay we won''t hide things or doubt each other moving forward, none of us," he said and picked up


    his te along with an empty coffee mug and headed towards the kitchen downstairs. Advika followed.


    Maya''s phone rang. The name Mom shed on the screen. Maya answered the call promptly. "Hi,


    mom, I was just going to call, I''m on my way, I''ll be-"


    The call went on for a brief moment.


    Advika entered the room, followed by Tej.


    Maya smiled and kept the phone down. "Mom''s out of town," she beamed. "Dad''s already in Kolkata,


    and my brother is busy partying."


    "Party?" said Zarna. "Yes, it''s his best friend''s birthday so..."


    "It means we have more time together," said Ray. "I meant we could discuss things."


    "Yes, can we stay here tonight?" asked Zarna looking at Ray.


    "I''m surprised you asked that I mean, will your parents allow?" he wondered.


    "Yes, I''ll convince them somehow. Adu?"


    "I... I''ll have to ask," she stammered fidgeting with her hair.


    "I''ll stay too, Advika, make some excuse, we''ll have to figure out what to do ahead," insisted Tej.


    "Okay, give me a minute," she said and stepped out of the room with her phone, dialling a number.


    "It''ll be so much fun, it''s the first time we''re all together like this," chirped Zarna.


    I hope its fun, thought Maya.

 Chapter 6: Caught In Action

    Chapter 6: Caught In Action


    Zarna rolled down the window as Tej stopped the car. It was pouring; thunder and lightning made the


    atmosphere eerie than it already was.


    Advika rubbed her palms peeping out of the window.


    An ancient, ruined temple was visible from the car. "Nobody in in sight," said Ray as he looked


    around. Maya removed a small device which looked more like a cell phone. "Seriously, Maya," said


    Advika and nodded her head. "Wait," said Ray as he turned to look at the device. "Is this a..."


    "Yes, this device can detect ghosts," said Maya with a smile.


    "Might I ask, from where did you get this device?" questioned Advika. "She works in the supernatural


    studies department, Adu," remarked Zarna. "I bet you stole it," said Ray and winked. Maya giggled and


    punched him yfully.


    "So, Maya," said Tej removing the seat belt. "Does your device detect any ghosts here, nearby? What''s


    the range it works?"


    "It can detect energies, negative energies up to a range of a few meters," revealed Maya and pressed


    a ck button on the device.


    "Negative," said Maya as a green light shed on the small screen of the device. "After me," said Tej


    and stepped out of the car wearing his overcoat. The others followed.


    "Doesn''t it looks like the Khajuraho?" questioned Ray as he shielded his eyes from the rain. "Yes,"


    nodded Zarna and pursed her thin lips.


    Advika wore her spectacles and tied her hair into a ponytail. "Maya, I suggest you tie your hair," she


    said, looking at Maya who had left her shoulder-length curly hair open. Maya quickly took the bow on


    her wrist and struggled to tie her hair into a bun.


    Tej locked the car, and they took a few steps towards the temple. "Any of you girls carrying a hairpin?"


    quizzed Ray shing a bright smile. "Yes," replied Maya. "But why?"


    "We have to break in the temple and library both," said Tej firmly.


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    "I can''t believe we''re doing this," whispered Advika and removed her phone from her jeans pocket.


    They cautiously walked towards the temple, looking around, making sure no one saw them.


    "Hairpin please," said Ray extending his hand as they stood in front of the giant door of the temple.


    Maya handed him her hairpin and looked at him. She was doubtful of Ray being able to open the lock


    with just an ordinary hairpin.


    Ray turned the hairpin a few times, and with a low sound, the lock opened. Maya was amazed. Zarna


    and Advika exchanged a look and smiled. "Good job," said Advika bemused.


    Tej let the way as they slowly pushed open the door and entered the temple closing the door behind


    them. Advika could feel her heart pound. Zarna held Advika''s arm. "I''m beginning to feel scared," she


    said. Advika lightly pressed her arm, "me too," she replied.


    They removed their cell phones and switched on the shlights to see the stairs.


    "Might be at least 80 steps," said Ray looking at the stairs which led to the entrance porch of the


    temple.


    "Quick," said Tej and sped towards the porch for shelter. The others followed.


    They removed their overcoat once they were inside the temple and had a roof on their head.


    The porch was spacious with a few diyas lit in the corners.


    "Let''s explore," said Maya taking a step towards the hall of the temple.


    They went inside, examining the walls of the temple. Itprised of different rocks and te. "Wow,"


    said Zarna and touched the walls.


    "Look at this," said Maya.


    The five symbols inscribed on the wall caught her attention.


    "Does that mean something?" wondered Zarna and nced at Advika who seemed lost in thoughts.


    "Adu," said Zarna and shook her. "Yes, I feel, it has to do something with the secrets of the elements or


    this temple maybe," she said.


    They touched the symbols and removed their hand instantly. "Ouch," cried Advika and Zarna.


    The symbol shone; radiating white light.


    They looked at each other, puzzled.


    Maya looked at her hand. "Why would it hurt?" she wondered.


    "Let''s do this again," said Advika as kept her hand on the earth symbol. The others followed; heart


    pounding and hand trembling.


    It felt like a blunt knife held against their hand.


    The atmosphere grew cold. Advika could feel the calmness in the air. "Feels soothing, this air," said


    Zarna.


    They removed their hands; the symbol stopped glowing immediately.


    "It''s just like the book, it stops emitting light as soon as we remove our hands from it," said Maya.


    "Maybe, we should look around for more clues," suggested Ray. Advika nced at her watch.


    12:30 a.m., it said.


    They entered the womb-chamber, where they saw the idol of Lord Shiva. Advika joined her hands and


    closed her eyes. Others followed suit.


    Please save and protect us from all harm and danger, prayed Advika.


    They looked around the entire temple, scanning it for clues. The only thing they found was the symbol


    on the wall, which glowed when they touched it.


    "Can you hear that?" asked Advika. "Hear what?" asked Maya. Tej looked around, trying to find out the


    source of the sound. "The soft music," said Ray. "Yes, I hear it now," said Maya and nced at Zarna.


    "Me too," added Zarna.


    "But where''s iting from?" wondered Advika and looked around. "Advika," said Tej. "You know the


    trick."


    "Yes, Adu, go for it," said Zarna, excited.


    Advika closed her eyes and concentrated on the sound, taking a step ahead. She stood there for a


    brief moment; contemting the direction she should move in.


    "Who''s there?" they heard a man shout.


    "Shit!" cussed Ray. "I think its the caretaker or watchmen."


    "Run," said Tej and made his way towards the door.

 Chapter 8: To The Library

    Chapter 8: To The Library


    "Why not?" asked Maya and shut the door of her bedroom. "Because it''s too risky," said Advika


    wearing her earphones.


    They were on a conference call.


    "I think Advika is right," said Ray lying down on his bed. "We were nearly caught yesterday. We should


    wait."


    "I agree," said Tej. "Let''s disguise and go," said Zarna. There was a brief pause. "We can, actually,"


    agreed Advika. "Let''s decide what we''ll disguise as, and then decide the date and time," said Maya.


    "Okay then, guys think of a person or character, but it should look normal, we don''t want to grab


    attention," said Tej.


    "Okay, we''ll discuss our characters, I mean costume on the group chat," added Ray. "Yes, we''ll post


    pictures of ourselves disguised as some character on the group and then decide," said Zarna.


    "Okay," said Tej and Advika in unison.


    ~~~~~~


    Advika rummaged through her wardrobe. She removed a blue tank top and a denim jacket, along with


    a brown three-fourth. Mom might have a wig, she thought. She went towards the door. "But what will I


    tell her? Why do I want that wig?" she wondered.


    "I might have to steal it then," she said and went to her parents'' room.


    She quickly opened the drawer below the mirror and took the wig. "Sorry, mom," she whispered and


    sped towards her room.


    ~~~~~~~~~


    Ray, removing his headband, set his hair with some gel. He put on a white cap and res, looking in


    the mirror in front of him.


    "No," he said, removing the res and looked around in the room.


    He picked up the round spectacles kept on the table and walked towards the mirror.


    "Nice," he said and smiled.


    ~~~~~~~


    Tej wore a fake moustache and applied a bit much oil to his hair. He dressed in a full sleeve white shirt


    and a khaki pant.


    ~~~~~~~


    Maya wore a knee-length ck skirt and a half-sleeve white top. She applied some kohl in her eyes


    and some powder to make herself look fair. She braided her curly hair and applied some lip balm.


    ~~~~~~~~


    Zarna, dressed in a cami top and ck jeans, tied her long hair into a bun and applied some foundation


    and kohl. She wore fake eyshes and put on a dark red lipstick.


    Should I wear specks? Or should I try wearing a wig?" she wondered. She opened the cab and


    removed round spectacles from it. "Maybe I should wear this," she said and put it on.


    "Now I look different," she said, looking at her reflection in the mirror.


    Advika wore a blue tank top and brown three-fourth. She removed her specks and wore blue colour


    lens instead. "This will make my hair look longer," she said and put on the wig. She wore a denim


    jacket and applied some powder to improve herplexion. "Maybe I should not apply a lipstick," she


    said and closed her closet.


    "I hope I''m looking at least a bit different," she wondered as she took her phone and clicked a selfie.


    Her phone vibrated as her friends had sent their photos on the group chat. They all agreed on their


    attires and decided to go to the library the next day, morning, even if it meant bunking college.


    ~~~~~~~~


    "What do you mean I can''t fight the werewolves?" he almost screamed at the old man.


    "Master Daksh, your father Indra is a professional... and experienced, he can get away with...


    anything," stammered the old man.


    "You mean to say I''m weak?" Daksh asked, towering over the old man.


    Daksh was tall, had a fairplexion, always had his hair in spikes, and had blue eyes. He had a


    sharp nose and always carried a small stiletto with him.


    He wore a transparent white T-shirt that revealed his abs. He was muscr and wore white studs in


    one ear.


    He ran his slender fingers through his dark ck hair and let out a sigh.


    "Whatever you do, I want those five," he muttered.


    The old man nodded his head and bowed before Daksh before taking his leave.


    Daksh entered the womb-chamber of the temple and joined his hands before the idol of Lord Shiva.


    "I know I''m doing wrong, but, you know my intentions," he said and bowed before Lord Shiva''s idol.


    "Daksh," he heard someone call his name; he swivelled.


    "Dad," he said and touched his father''s feet.


    "Master Indra," said the old man as he entered the womb-chamber.


    Indra turned to look at the old man. "Did theye again?" he asked. "No, Master," said the old man.


    "Keep an eye on anyone that passes through this temple or the library," said Indra and turned to face


    Daksh.


    Daksh could feel his heart thump and throat go dry.


    "What are you doing here?" asked Indra. "I... I came to-"


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    "I had told you to take care of Rutuja," said Indra and crossed his arms.


    "What happened to Rutu? Is she fine?" he asked.


    "Don''t worry, she''s fine. Just some werewolves had attacked Dai Ma''s ce yesterday night," revealed


    Indra. "I should go and see her," said Daksh, his heart pounding.


    "You should," said Indra and disappeared. Daksh followed suit.


    ~~~~~~~


    Tej stopped the car a few meters away from the temple. "I''m not feeling great about this," said Advika


    and stepped out of the car. "Rx," said Maya, adjusting her cap. "Okay guys," said Tej fixing his fake


    moustache. "Remember we don''t know each other, nobody calling out anyone by their real names."


    "Yes boss," said Ray and wore the spectacles as Zarna nodded her head.


    They walked towards the library, which was located just behind the temple.


    Advika felt a wave of cold air sweep her hair as she stepped into the ancient library. There was pin-


    drop silence; nobody in in sight.


    "Yes?" said a young girl as Ray entered the library; Advika swivelled.


    "I''m here for. . . I came here to read books on Indian History, for a school project," Advika lied. The girl


    looked at Ray. "Oh, I came here looking for books on ancient temples, I love history, you see," he said


    and coughed.


    "I''m Rutuja, the librarian, if you need help finding the books, let me know," she said, and with a nod


    went to sit on the red colour sofa next to the library''s entrance.


    Advika took a deep breath as she walked towards the bookshelves on her right, while Ray on the left.


    There was a range of various tall bookshelves on both sides of the library. There are several types of


    books on the shelves ranging from English ssics to science fiction, to magazines, to non-fiction, to


    references and finally to books on ult and supernatural.


    Advika scanned the books as she walked through the bookshelf. The Legends of Saptabhumi by Chitra


    D., The Princess of Tribhumi by Lekha G., The Elements by Gustaf Morgan.


    Advika stopped the instant she saw the title which read ''The Elements''. She went through the book,


    scanning each page thoroughly.


    Ray carefully removed his phone from his pocket and clicked a few pictures of the book he was


    holding. He quickly examined the section of ult and ancient history.


    Zarna entered the library and nced at Rutuja. "Hi," she said. "I''m looking for books on ancient


    history. Could you help me with it please?" she asked. "Sure," said Rutuja and led her to the section of


    ancient history. Zarna''s eyes fell on the staircase opposite the bookshelf. "Where does that lead to?"


    she asked.


    "Oh, that, it''s closed now," replied Rutuja and went back to sit on the sofa.


    Zarna quickly went through the books, scanning for anything rted to the elements. The Magical


    Waters by Deba Grey, read the book cover. It had an illustration of blue sea, with waves crashing the


    ship on the harbour. Zarna picked up the book and sat on the chair nearby to give it a read.


    In ancient times, sorcerers used water as a medium to travel in time. It could transport them to the past


    or future ording to their choice, the only limitation being that they had to hold their breath until they


    get out of the water.


    If the sorcerer can hold his breath, then, and only then can he time travel by water. The element of


    water has many powers. It can be both m and fierce like fire.


    To practice this, the sorcerer needs to focus on his mind; being thoughtless. The energy of the water


    needs to be felt first before practising any kind of magical routine with it.


    Zarna sighed and kept the book back on the shelf.


    Tej stepped into the library and looked around. Daksh followed. Tej headed towards the Literary section


    and picked up a random book from the shelf.


    "Rutu," said Daksh and held her hand. "I want to talk to you, now," he said and nced at the others.


    "Daksh, I can''t leave the library unattended," whispered Rutuja and removed her hand from his grip. "I''ll


    talk to you in the evening."


    Daksh nodded his head and left the library.

 Chapter 9: Escaping Again

    Chapter 9: Escaping Again


    Maya entered the library carrying a sling bag with her. "I''m sorry, bags are not allowed inside," said


    Rutuja politely. "Oh, I''ll keep it here then," said Maya and kept her bag on the desk near the entrance of


    the library. Maya nced at her friends and then at the staircase leading to the second floor.


    "Didn''t know the library has two floors," she said more to herself than to Rutuja. "That''s close," said


    Rutuja and pursed her thin lips. She tied her long hair into a high bun and fanned herself. "May I ask


    why?" questioned Maya. "Maintenance," said Rutuja and dug her head into the desktop kept on the


    desk.


    Have to break in here too, Maya thought and headed towards the ult section.


    ~~~~~~


    "I can take care of myself," said Rutuja and turned to face the mirror. She brushed her long ck hair


    and braided them.


    Rutuja was fair, had an average height, and had brown eyes.


    "I''m just saying you need to be careful with the werewolves," said Daksh and crossed his arms.


    I''m trained, Daksh," she said and turned to face him crossing her arms. "So am I, Rutu," he said,


    leaning towards her. Rutuja slightly pushed him back with her hand. "You, Mister, are crossing your


    limits."


    "Master Daksh," said Dai Ma as she stepped into Rutuja''s room.


    "I came to see if Rutu... I mean if Rutuja was fine. Dad told me about the werewolves attack," he said.


    "The evil master of the werewolves, Azazel, knows about the book," Dai Ma revealed.


    Rutuja walked up to Dai Ma and held her hand. "Do they know where the book is?" she asked,


    concerned. "Fortunately, no," answered Dai Ma.


    "But they don''t know about-" Daksh stopped mid-sentence. Rutuja and Dai Ma nced at him. "I don''t


    think they have any idea about the five elements enclosed in the book," he covered up.


    "We don''t know what they know about the book," began Dai Ma. "Azazel knows that the book is the key


    to incredible powers."


    "So he''s behind it now," added Rutuja.


    "We should stay alert and find the book as soon as possible," said Dai Ma and left the room.


    ~~~~~~


    "We should sneak there, like how did in case of the temple," said Maya and sipped the green tea. "Bad


    idea," opposed Advika and took a bite of the burger.


    "The pictures I took didn''t help much," said Ray and stuffed some fries in his mouth.


    "I agree that we shouldn''t trespass the library''s second floor," said Tej. "But it''s locked for a reason, and


    that girl was lying, it is not locked for maintenance."


    "Sorry, I''mte," said Zarna as she sat on the chair next to Advika.


    They were sitting in their favourite cafe, The Coffee House.


    "Where have you been?" asked Ray.


    "Oh, college project, plus had some work pending," said Zarna and took a sip of the hot coffee. "How''s


    the internship going?" asked Advika and checked her phone. "Great! I''ve learned a lot about Law,"


    replied Zarna.


    "Well guys, I think we should go once again to the temple," said Tej. "But this time, with a foolproof


    n," said Advika and sipped her cold coffee. "How do we sneak in?" wondered Ray. "Not from the


    front gate this time," said Maya and gulped the green tea.


    "I agree," said Tej.


    "I think we should go in the daylight, and hide till it is dark and the old man leaves," suggested Zarna.


    "Or," said Maya. "Pretend to leave, but stay inside until its night," said Maya.


    "Of course, the caretaker, as in the old man will wee us with open arms," said Advika, her eyes


    glued to the phone. "Whom are you talking to?" asked Tej irritated. "My boss, she wants the articles by


    next week," replied Advika.


    "Oh ya, you''re interning with Devanshi Sinha, the best-selling author, right?" asked Zarna. Advika


    nodded her head in a yes and smiled. "Advika is going to be the next star author," said Ray. Tej smiled,


    "absolutely," he said.


    "Coming back to the topic, we need to get in somehow, into the temple or library," said Maya ying


    with the fries kept in the tray.


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    "I think we should first go to the library," said Tej. "I agree," said Ray. "Ray," said Maya, "we need to go


    to the second floor, will require your expertise."


    "Of course, I''ll unlock the door somehow, but Advika, you''ll have to take the lead with the books," said


    Ray and sipped his coke. "Yes, we''re good with books," added Zarna. "Sure," said Advika and sipped


    her cold coffee.


    Maya hid her face with her hair and looked to her right. "What''s the matter?" asked Tej. "To the left,"


    she whispered. "Shit!" said Ray and hide his face with his hands. "Act normal guys," muttered Advika


    and put her face in the menu card. Tej turned his chair towards Zarna. Zarna turned to face Advika,


    who pretended to read the menu card.


    "Thank you," said the girl sitting on the table opposite to theirs. The waiter ced a tray that had two


    cups of cold coffee and two burgers.


    "What is she doing here?" wondered Maya. "What did she say was her name?" quizzed Ray. "That''s


    not important," said Advika. "We need to get out of here asap."


    Maya quietly picked her sling bag and walked towards the stairs, which lead to the entrance of the cafe.


    The others quickly gathered their belongings and sped downstairs.


    "Sorry," said Tej as he bumped into a boy. Maya nced at him and ran towards the gate. The others


    followed.


    "Careful you-" said the boy, but Tej was long gone.

 Chapter 10: Mayas Other Vision

    Chapter 10: Maya''s Other Vision


    "I hope she didn''t see us," said Ray, panting. Advika pressed her feet and shut her eyes. Maya and


    Zarna almost lied down in the backseat of Tej''s car.


    "Let''s head home," said Ray as Tej hit the engine.


    "I hope that Rutuja didn''t see us else it''ll be difficult to go to the library again," said Maya, breathing


    heavily. "That was close," whispered Advika, panting.


    "You girls, how do you get tired so soon?" said Tej. "You guys seriously need to go to the gym with me."


    "We just ate, Tej, that''s why," defended Zarna. "Where are we heading to?"


    "My house," said Tej. "Your parents and sister aren''t home?" asked Ray. "No," replied Tej, his eyes


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    fixed on the traffic ahead.


    ~~~~~~


    "I''m d you''re back from the training," said Rutuja as she kept her hand on Rishi''s hand. "The training


    was awesome, especially the ones with," his voice dropped to a whisper, "werewolves."


    Rishi wore a ck shirt and jeans, which made him look fair than he already was. He had styled his


    hair into subtle spikes; his thin lips curled into a smile as he held Rutuja''s hand.


    "I know," said Rutuja. "It''s difficult in the beginning, but it bes interesting and easy with time."


    Rutuja wore a ck wrap top and blue jeans with it. She had left her hair open and wore studs.


    "Daksh, does he still trouble you?" asked Rishi. Rutuja let out a sign. "Yes, but I know how to handle


    him now."


    "Of course you''re a strong girl," said Rishi and smiled.


    "I''m concerned about the book, I hope it''s safe wherever it is," she said and sipped her cold coffee. "It


    will be," assured Rishi and took a bite of the burger.


    Rishi was Rutuja''s childhood friend. They had done their schooling together; both orphans brought up


    by Dai Ma. Rutuja was a year elder than Rishi. She had finished her swordery and martial arts training


    before him and was his senior.


    ~~~~~~


    Ray leaned on the white wall of Tej''s spacious room as Tej switched on hisptop.


    A sliding closet kept opposite the bed had a 3D moonmp ced on the small table near it. A set of


    speakers kept on the floor in one corner of the room.


    Advika''s eyes fell on the pile of Physics books next to the speakers.


    Tej was pursuing his bachelors in Physics.


    "The heart is the most powerful source of electromaic energy in the human body, producing the


    "What does that have to do with our mission?" asked Maya.


    Advika sat on the white as Zarna sat on the yellow bean bag.


    "Maic signals generated by the heart can affect individuals around us," said Tej and kept the book


    aside.


    Maya rolled her eyes. "We''re no physics expert," she said.


    "I''m talking about energy here," Tej began. "We should study about energy, how it works, how can we


    use it."


    "Then psi balls would be best to start with," suggested Advika. "I agree," said Ray and walked up to Tej.


    Tej opened a site that told about psi balls.


    "Then, when and where do we begin," quizzed Zarna getting up from the bean bag. "We should learn


    to feel the energy within us," said Advika. "We already do," said Maya and crossed her arms.


    "Yes, but it so happened that somebody wasn''t able to handle it," said Advika.


    Maya opened her mouth to say something but then chose to stay quiet.


    "Oh my God!" said Maya and looked at Tej. "The boy."


    "What boy?" said Ray, puzzled.


    "The boy you bumped into, Tej, at the cafe this morning," said Maya.


    "What about him?" asked Tej. "He was... I have something to tell," said Maya. "After Advika''s vision, I


    had one more vision, I''m sorry, I was going to tell but, just slipped out of my mind," said Maya.


    "Wow, such an important thing slipped out of your mind, that''s wonderful," said Advika and crossed her


    arms.


    "Tej," began Maya. "This guy you bumped into," said Maya and sat beside him. "I saw you both fight in


    the forest."


    "How''s that even possible?" wondered Advika. "I don''t know, but, I''m sure it was him," said Maya.


    "Those guys may have some connection with the book then," said Ray.


    "Those guys?" said Zarna, puzzled.


    "Rutuja and that guy Tej bumped into," said Ray. "There''s a possibility that the guy hade to meet


    Rutuja there," said Advika. "Quite possible," added Tej.


    "I wish we could confront them," said Zarna.


    "It would be a foolish act, we''re trying to keep this a secret," said Ray.


    "We must be alert," said Maya. "And together, as much as possible," added Tej. "This mission needs


    our full dedication."


    "The book chose you, and you chose us," said Zarna. Tej smiled. "I could not think of anybody else," he


    began. "Advika, good with books. Maya, a paranormal studies student, you, Zarna, aw student, and


    Ray, my best friend."


    "Yes," said Ray. "It''s important to have aw student when you''re nning on breaking a dozen rules."


    Ray chuckled as his friends smiled. "Very funny," said Zarna.

 Chapter 12: Discussions And More

    Chapter 12: Discussions And More


    "I wish the book had never left us," said Rishi and threw his jacket on the bed. "Rishi!" said Rutuja and


    picked it up. "How many times do I have to tell you this?"


    She folded his jacket and kept it in his cupboard. Rishi smiled, looking at her. "You''replete wife


    material," he said. "Shut up!" she snapped and smiled, nodding her head.


    "What next?" asked Rishi andy down on the bed. "We should go to the second floor of the library,"


    said Rutuja and sat beside him. "The portal, you mean?" he asked. "Yes," replied Rutuja.


    "But, what do we do going to that world, it''s dangerous, Master Indra and Dai Ma will never approve of


    it," he said. "Who said anything about permission?" said Rutuja and raised her eyebrow. "Breaking


    rules ha," he said and sat upright.


    "Won''t youe with me?" she asked looking in his eyes. "I''ll apany you wherever you go," he


    said and held her hand.


    ~~~~~~~


    "Now who''s tired?" said Maya as he offered her hand to Ray who was lying down on the sand. He took


    her hand and sat upright. "We should be in the car, it''s almost 4," said Advika.


    "And the car will teleport us back home?" wondered Maya. "No, the book will," said Advika. Tej


    unlocked the car, "c''mon in guys," he called.


    "Advika, mind sitting in the front seat, I''m a bit tired, so will sleep in the backseat," said Ray. "And


    where do you think we''ll sit, on your head?" said Maya and walked past him.


    Advika sat beside Tej, who sat on the driver''s seat. Zarna sat between Ray and Maya in the backseat.


    Tej helped Advika with the seat belt and then put on his seat belt.


    "Ouch," said Maya as the car shook violently. An electrical storm broke out with great fury. Advika


    clutched Tej''s hand as the clouds thundered. Tej held her hand. "Easy," he said.


    The car rose in the air; the windows covered with sand.


    In the blink of an eye, the carnded with a thud on the ground.


    Maya got out of the car at once. "Thank God," she said. "Who were those guys? How will we know?"


    wondered Ray and stretched his arms. "Why would anybody follow us ore to this ce?" said


    Zarna sitting inside the car. "Aren''t you guys getting out?" asked Ray. "We aren''t home, we''re just back


    to our world," said Advika.


    "Yeah, right," said Ray and sat in the car. Maya followed.


    ~~~~~~~~~


    "You promised to get them," said an elderly man. He wore a full-length ck tunic with long sleeves


    and a stand-up cor. His red pupils sent a shiver down Daksh''s spine as he stood in front of the man


    with his head bowed.


    There was an unnatural greyness in his skin. His silvery shoulder-length hair left open; his teeth as


    sharp as a de; his lips ck.


    "Master... Azazel" stammered Daksh. "I''m trying-"


    "I don''t want your tries," the man screamed and hit his fist on the stone table between them. The table


    cracked; Daksh shivered.


    "I want all five of them, alive," he whispered as he came near to Daksh and squeezed his shoulders.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Go," hemanded.


    Daksh bowed down and walked out of the dungeon.


    ~~~~~~~~~~


    Advika threw herself on the bed and closed her eyes. Her phone vibrated. The name Sweety shed


    on the screen. Advika smiled and read her message.


    Sweety: Hey babe, let''s catch up this weekend.


    Advika: Sure, at our favourite Dan''s cafe. This Sunday at 5 eve.


    Sweety: Okay, see you soon!


    Her phone rang. It was Tej.


    "Hey, Tej, all good? You just dropped me home," she said and stood in front of the mirror fidgeting with


    her hair. "Yes," answered Tej. "You left your clip in my car, again," he said ying with the clip.


    "Oh, I... I''ll take it the next time we meet," she said. "Okay, yeah, I''ll keep it... with me," he said, staring


    at the clip. "Okay, bye," she said and kept the phone.


    "Dude, what''s wrong with you?" said Tej to himself and walked towards the door of his house.


    ~~~~~~~~~~~


    "This is the magical bowl, Master Daksh," said the old man leaning on his stick.


    Daksh walked towards a stone table; a golden bowl filled with water kept on it. Daksh saw his reflection


    in the water and nced at the old man.


    "I don''t know the exact method to invoke its powers," said the old man and adjusted his round


    spectacles. "That I''ll find out," said Daksh and turned to face the old man. "The next time the fivee


    here, don''t let them escape," he gritted at the old man and walked out of the room. he climbed the


    stairs that led him to the womb chamber of the temple. It was a secret underground room that only the


    old man and Daksh knew about.


    The old man climbed the stairs slowly, one by one. Daksh let out a sigh. "Could you hurry up!" he


    yelled.


    ~~~~~~~~


    "It''s been almost a week since that temple incident," said Maya as she sat down on the bean bag with


    a cup of green tea in her hands.


    They all had gathered at Ray''s house as his parents were out of town.


    "I hope that old man doesn''t remember anything about that night," said Zarna and took a bite of the


    sandwich. Advika sipped her coffee and leaned on the pillow. "We have to be careful," she said.


    "We''ll go with full nning this time," said Ray ying with a basketball.


    "Getting out at night, I mean, sneaking out of the house at night is a task," said Advika and took some


    chips from the ss bowls. Ray took a handful of chips and stuffed them into his mouth. "That''s the


    reason you don''t have a girlfriend,"mented Maya and sipped her green tea.


    "As if you have a dozen of boyfriends," said Ray with his mouth full of chips.


    "Okay, guys," interrupted Tej. "Let''s go tomorrow night. If everybody''s okay with it."


    "Cool!" said Maya. "I''m in," added Zarna. "Always ready," said Ray. "Ya, no problem," said Advika.


    "So, the first thing we do is find out the source of that music," said Maya. "We should," said Tej. "Yes,"


    added Zarna. "Maybe it will lead us to something important."

 Chapter 13: Time To Take Action

    Chapter 13: Time To Take Action


    "Finally," said Daksh hiding behind the bushes as he saw a ck car pull over.


    "Wait," said Maya. "The meter shows some negative energy around."


    "Should we go ahead or not?" questioned Ray. "Let''s wait for a while," suggested Maya ncing at the


    meter.


    Advika rubbed her palms and peeped out of the window. "I don''t see anyone here," she said. "What if


    somebody is hiding behind those bushes?" wondered Zarna, pointing at the bushes on both sides of


    the road.


    "Okay," said Maya. "All good now."


    Tej stepped out of the car and put his mask on. "Feels like robbery," said Ray as he pulled up his mask


    and stepped out of the car. The girls followed suit.


    They carefully headed towards the temple; looking around them, careful not to be seen.


    "Wait," said Ray. "How did this lock open so easily?" he wondered as he pulled out the hairpin from the


    lock. "It''s good, right? Now let''s get in," said Maya. "Something''s not right," whispered Advika.


    Tej stepped inside; the others followed.


    They headed towards the wall where they had found the symbol. Advika kept her hand on the Earth


    symbol, Tej on Fire, Zarna on Water, Maya on Air, and Ray on the Sky symbol.


    Daksh cautiously closed the main gates of the temple behind him. "Lock the gate," he said to the old


    man and headed towards the temple.


    The five friends heard soft music y. "Advika," said Tej and motioned her to go ahead. Advika closed


    her eyes and focussed on her breathe; entering the state of thoughtlessness. All she could hear was


    the sound of soft music. She took a step ahead towards the womb chamber of the temple and paused


    for a brief moment. She could feel the positive energying from within the chamber. The others


    followed her, unaware of the fact that somebody else was following them too.


    It was dark in the womb chamber. Everyone except Advika removed their cellphones and switched on


    the shlight. Tej stood close to Advika. "Ouch!" she almost screamed as she lost her bnce. Tej


    caught her hand in time.


    "Woooo!" said Ray. "A secret underground tunnel," he said as they looked at the sliding ground below


    them. "Hold this," said Tej as he gave his phone to Maya motioning her to hold it above him so that he


    could see clearly. "How do we go down? I see no stairs and unfortunately, we aren''t carrying any rope,"


    said Maya.


    "That''s because it works on the Master''smand, and that''s me," whispered Daksh. "But it never


    reveals itself, how and why did it do that?" he wondered.


    "Let''s just jump, can''t be that deep, is it?" wondered Zarna and sat on her knees, peeping down the


    underground tunnel-like opening they had just found. "That''s crazy," said Maya. "Tej, I''ll jump and see,


    or you go, you''re taller than me," said Ray adjusting his headband. "I''ll go," said Tej and sat at the


    opening with his legs hanging down. "Careful," said Advika, breathing heavily.


    Should I let them enter the room or no? Daksh thought. Let them go, maybe they''ll get what I''m looking


    for.


    "Make all the unseen seen," whispered Daksh and closed his eyes.


    The stairs began to appear one by one. The five moved stepped back at once. "Why do I feel like...


    somebody wants us to go in there," whispered Advika.


    "Intelligent girl," mouthed Daksh.


    "Let''s just go down and see, we''vee so far," said Maya and began descending the stairs. Tej


    followed. Ray thought for a brief moment and then followed his friends. Zarna held Advika''s hand and


    pulled her downstairs.


    The stairs led to a small room that looked more like a prison cell. It had some broken mud utensils, a


    few matchsticksy hither-tither; oil spilt on the floor. It had the smell of petrichor; the air damp and


    cold.


    "The magical bowl," said Advika. "How could I forget," she said.


    Maya held her phone above the bowl kept on the stone table. "Is this normal water?" quizzed Zarna.


    "No, don''t touch it," said Advika as she held Zarna''s hand. "What did you forget?" asked Maya and


    looked at Advika.


    "I had read about this bowl in the book The Legends of the Elements," she said and took a step closer


    to the bowl. "The other day we went to the library."


    "And?" said Maya.


    "No!" Ray almost screamed. They followed his gaze and found the sliding door to be closed.


    "Somebody closed that lid, the door," Ray panicked.


    Daksh smirked as he sat on the sliding door. "Poor guys," he said and closed his eyes. "Make the seen


    unseen," he whispered.


    "No!" screamed Zarna as the stairs began to disappear one by one.


    "Don''t panic, don''t panic," said Advika more to herself than to the others. "Advika," said Tej. "Got any


    idea of getting out? How can the bowl help?"


    "The bowl," said Advika and sped towards the stone table. "I had read... this helps... to get answers..."


    she stammered; her body shivering with fear and anxiety.


    "Advika," said Tej and held her hands. "Rx, calm down, breath."


    "May the air you breath vanish, may the consciousness you hold vane into oblivion," said Daksh


    closing his eyes as he brought his lips close to the sliding door.


    "This bowl can help us get out of here, it can show us the way," said Advika. Maya coughed; her hand


    on her chest. "The air," mouthed Advika. "Somebody''s ying with-" Advika stopped mid-sentence and


    coughed.


    Ray held his throat breathing heavily. Zarna dropped down on her knees gasping for air. "Maya," said


    Tej panting. "You... can... influence the air, do something," he said.


    It felt like someone was choking them to death. The air inside the room ceased to exist. The shlights


    from the phone were the only source of light in the room.


    Advika kept her hands on the stone table, leaning on it, tears slid from her eyes and fell into the bowl. A


    ripple of cold energy floated through her head and made her shiver. The water in the bowl began to


    move. "The... bowl..." she managed to say. Zarna, Ray, and Tej dropped on their knees, coughing


    loudly. "Maya... the bowl... words," said Advika and extended her arm. Maya held her hand and stood


    near the bowl.


    The tinge of golden and silver colour appeared in the bowl; the water began to move in a circr


    motion. Letters began to dance in the water; Advika dropped on her knees. "Maya," she said panting.


    "You can bring back... the... air," she said andy unconscious.


    Daksh pressed his ears against the sliding door on the ground.


    Maya blinked her eyes, staring at the bowl, trying to make sense of the words floating on the water.


    She spread her arms and stood near the stone table for a brief moment.


    "May the done be undone, past be present, and actions reversed," read Maya and fell on the ground,


    unconscious.


    "No!" screamed Daksh and push opened the door.


    ~~~~~~~


    "We''re not going back to the temple again," said Advika and crossed her arms.


    The five friends had gathered at Ray''s home, sitting in his bedroom. His parents were asleep


    downstairs in their bedroom.


    "The spell," said Maya and sat on the bean bag. "It reversed everything."


    "God saved us," added Advika and sat on the bed cross-legged, cing the cushion on herp. Zarna


    sat next to her. "Yes, we were saved, but who was that person?"


    "Was some boy, couldn''t see his face, it was dark," said Ray leaning against the wall. "He trapped us,"


    said Tej and sat on the ground, leaning on the bean bag. "It means he knew we were going toe, he


    nned it," said Advika.


    "But he has seen us," said Tej. "What do we do now?" wondered Maya. "Focus on the book, as of now,


    it''ll tell us what to do," replied Tej. "But, what if hees searching for us?" asked Advika. "Exactly, he


    knows how we look," said Zarna. "I was thinking-" said Maya. Everybody looked at her as he paused


    for a moment.


    "The old man... is he with that guy? Otherwise, how could he do all that?"


    "True," said Advika. "It''s quite possible that he has people with him."


    "It means we need to hurry up," said Ray and wore his headband. "Yes, it''s 12 we need to go," said


    Maya. "Where?" asked Advika. "To the moon," said Maya and faked a smile. "We are being followed, is


    it safe to go to the barrennd?" she questioned.


    "The book will handle everything," said Ray adjusting his hair. "Let''s just go, somece where it is


    quiet."


    "But the book should appear there, right?" quizzed Advika. "Let''s go to our usual ce if the book finds


    it fit, the forest will appear, else, we''ll be transported somece safe," said Tej.


    Advika was doubtful about going out together with her friends. She knew they were followed by


    someone whose powers were still unknown to them. She had not yet recovered from the incidentst


    night.


    "You guys go ahead," said Advika. Tej spun around and looked at her. "Don''t be silly," said Maya. "The


    symbols don''t glow till all of us are together simrly the book won''t appear if we aren''t together."


    "Advika," said Tej and ced his hands on her shoulders. "Swe... I mean, I know you''re worried, but


    trust me, when we''re together, we can handle anything, running away from things isn''t a solution, is it?"


    Advika let out a sigh and nodded her head. "I just want all of us to be safe," she said. "We will be," said


    Tej and held her hand. "Now let''s go."


    "You girls go ahead, I want to talk to Tej," said Ray and smiled. Maya opened her mouth to say


    something but Ray stopped her. "Man to man," he said. "Whatever," said Maya and marched


    downstairs. Advika and Zarna followed.


    Ray shut the door and smiled at Tej. "What''s the matter? Why are you smiling?" asked Tej. "Dude," said


    Ray and hugged Tej. "What-" Tej pushed him slightly, breaking the hug.


    "We''re best friends," said Ray. "I know you from childhood, and you, you-"


    "Ray, please be clear, get to the point, we''re gettingte and the girls are waiting," said Tej. "Girls... or


    Advika?" asked Ray and crossed his arms. "What do you mean?" asked Tej and turned around. "Face


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    me or don''t face me," said Ray. "But you can''t deny the fact that you were about to call Advika,


    sweetheart."


    "That''s rubbish," said Tej. "We''ll talk about thister," said Ray and went downstairs, leaving Tej alone.


    Tej walked to the mirror kept beside the bed. "I don''t love her," he said looking at his reflection in the


    mirror.


    "Where''s Tej?" asked Advika as Ray descended the stairs. "He''sing," Ray said and smiled. "Is he


    fine?" she asked. "More than fine," replied Ray and motioned Zarna and Maya to follow him.


    They headed towards the door. "You guys wait near the car, I''ll tell mom we''re going out... somewhere,"


    he said.


    The girls, except Advika, went to the parking where Ray''s car was parked.


    "What happened, Tej?" asked Advika. "Nothing," he answered, avoiding eye contact. What''s wrong with


    him? Advika thought.


    ~~~~~~~~

 Chapter 14: Decoding Things

    Chapter 14: Decoding Things


    "The... book... is with... them," stammered Daksh as he stood before Azazel.


    Azazel''s long ck robes swept the floor as he walked towards Daksh.


    They stood in the dungeons; Azazel''s hiding ce where he lived with his men and some werewolves.


    "You are telling me, that, you let them go," said Azazel in a low voice. "You let the reversal spell happen


    you let them do it."


    "I''ve seen their faces," said Daksh; his throat went dry. Azazel leaned towards Daksh; Daksh could feel


    his hot breath on his face, he shut his eyes, his heart pounded.


    "Let them learn and earn the powers," he whispered. Daksh opened his eyes, perplexed. "Yes," said


    Azazel and took a step behind. He smirked. "Keep an eye on them, let them learn, and once they''ve


    be all-powerful, then I will take away their powers and kill them."


    Won''t be that easy, Daksh thought.


    "Go, follow them, and keep me updated,"manded Azazel.


    Daksh bowed and left the dungeon.


    ~~~~~~~


    "Why do I feel like we''re being followed?" wondered Advika as she stepped out of the car. "Rx,


    Advika," said Zarna and put her arm around her shoulders. Maya checked the device she was carrying.


    "Why are you carrying the ghost detector? In daylight?" questioned Ray. "Well, for safety, can''t take any


    risk," she replied.


    "It''s 12," said Zarna ncing at her wristwatch. "Why isn''t the forest appearing?"


    "Maybe it senses danger too," said Advika and leaned on the car. " Here," said Tej and handed her a


    ck clip. "Thanks," said Advika and gathered her hair to tie them. "Let it be," said Tej. Advika looked


    at him, perplexed. The words just slipped out of his tongue. "Ah... I mean..."


    "I think we should leave," said Ray and kept his hand on Tej''s shoulder. Advika looked at Ray and


    nodded. "I agree."


    "Zarna, Maya," called Advika and sat in the car.


    "Saved you mate," said Ray and winked. Tej suppressed his smile. Idiot, he thought.


    "But we just arrived, Tej, let us drive to the centre of thend and see, we might teleport to the beach


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    again," said Maya. "Okay," said Tej.


    Tej drove to the centre of thend and stopped. Advika, sitting in the backseat, was lost in thoughts.


    Zarna nudged her. She smiled and nodded her head. There''s something with Tej, she thought and


    nced at him.


    They waited there for quite a long time.


    "It''s half past 12," said Advika as she looked at her phone. "Maybe we should go somece else,"


    suggested Tej. "Where?" asked Maya. "My home, maybe," he replied and turned the steering.


    ~~~~~~~~


    "These books," said Rutuja as she sat beside Rishi. "I know," he said turning the pages.


    They sat on the floor of the library''s second floor. The booksy hither tither. Arge steel ring-like


    structure was ced against the wall.


    "No use," said Rishi and closed the book. "All our efforts are..."


    "Can''t we do anything?" questioned Rutuja. "Everything will happen as per the book''s wish," said Rishi.


    "Then, why were we trained, Rishi? Why?"


    Rishi turned towards her and held her hand. "So that we can help people who aren''t aware of these


    things," he said. "By that, I remember," she said and got up dusting her jeans. "You and I both have


    been asked to train kids, as in, give martial arts training to children."


    "Master Indra?" said Rishi. "Yes, we are going to teach in his academy," replied Rutuja and smiled.


    "Secret academy," added Rishi. "What happened?"


    "Nothing, let''s go," said Rutuja and took a step towards the door. Rishi held her hand. "Thinking about


    Daksh?" he questioned. Rutuja swivelled. "I wish he was on the good side," she said. "He is, he''s just


    different, not like you and me," said Rishi. "No, Rishi, I doubt he''s with..."


    "Azazel? Are you kidding me?" said Rishi. "You don''t know him," she said and looked at the ground.


    "Okay, he''s a bad boy, I agree, but he isn''t that bad," said Rishi. "He''s been rude to you, always," said


    Rutuja. "Then why, Rishi? Why defend him?"


    "I''m not defending him," rified Rishi. "I''m just saying, that if the timees, he will choose us over


    anything."


    ~~~~~~~


    "It''s hard to decipher what the book wants," said Advika and sat on the bed with a pillow kept on her


    nced at Advika from the corner of his eyes and picked one of his books from the bookshelf.


    "New bookshelf?" asked Zarna and stood behind him with her hands on her hips. Tej nodded his head


    and smiled. "Thought of organizing things for a change," he said. "Well, a lot of things are changing,"


    said Ray and winked. "As in?" asked Maya.


    "Us," said Ray. "We''ve changed."


    "I don''t think so," said Maya. "Improved maybe."


    "Where are you lost?" said Zarna as she sat next to Advika. "Aa... nowhere, just thinking about the


    book," she said, fidgeting with her hair. Ray walked towards Tej and leaned towards him. "Maybe you


    should talk to her," he whispered.


    There was a knock on the door. It was Tej''s mom, Mrs Swarna Patel. "Hi, kids," she said as she walked


    into the room with a tray in her hands.


    Advika quickly went to help her with the coffee mugs. Ray nudged Tej and smiled. "Oh hello, long time


    no see," said Zarna and hugged her. "You guys didn''te home for so long," said Swarna and


    smiled. "Thanks for the green tea and snacks, aunty," said Maya and picked a cup. "Your coffee," said


    Swarna as she handed Advika a cute cup that had a teddy bear handle. Tej smiled.


    "How is your health?" asked Advika. "Never felt better," replied Swarna and turned to look at Ray.


    "How''s everyone at home?" she asked. "Perfectly fine, as usual," he said and picked up one of the


    three coffee mugs. "It''s pouring outside, so no stepping out of the house guys," she said. "I''m


    downstairs if at all you guys need anything, wait till it stops raining. Don''t go home if the weather is bad.


    I''ll talk to your parents."


    "I don''t mind staying," said Ray and stuffed his mouth with the chips. Maya picked up the sandwich and


    took a bite. "Maybe you should stay, you all should," said Swarna. Advika opened her mouth to say


    something but Swarna stopped her. "I''ll talk to your mom, don''t worry," she said and kept her hand on


    Advika''s shoulder. "Yours too, girls," she said looking at Zarna and Maya. "Thanks, aunty," said the girls


    and smiled exchanging a nce. "You guys have fun, I''ll prepare something special for dinner tonight,"


    she said. "Should I help?" asked Ray. "Sure," she said. "Advika is a great cook too," said Ray and took


    a handful of chips from the ss bowl. "No, not really," said Advika. "We''ll see that," she said and with


    ast look to Tej, left the room, heading downstairs towards the kitchen.


    "I think we should try summoning the book," said Advika all of a sudden. "How? Is that possible?"


    asked Maya. Advika took a sip of the coffee and closed her eyes for a brief moment. "Connecting our


    powers," she said. "Connecting to each other, you mean?" quizzed Zarna. "Yes, I''d read in a book, you


    could connect to some other person''s energy."


    "Let''s do that then," said Ray. "Why wait?"


    "Ain''t that easy," said Maya. "We have to enter into a thoughtlessness state of mind."


    "Let''s meditate first, calm ourselves, then try," added Tej. "Right," said Advika.

 Chapter 15: More About The Book

    Chapter 15: More About The Book


    "If at all," said Indra as he paced across the small room. He and Dai Ma were at a ce far away from


    the city. They often came here to discuss the book and n their next move.


    "Indra," said Dai Ma as she peeped out of the window of the cottage. "Daksh is your son. His mother


    died protecting the book, will he ever go against us? How can he join our enemies? Why will he?"


    "I''ve kept him away from all this, the academy, the book, everything, because I wanted to protect him.


    But he took it otherwise," said Indra and stood near the window. He could see the stars twinkling in the


    night sky. It reminded him of his wife, Tara.


    "Tara always wanted Daksh to take this ahead," said Dai Ma leaning on the stick she used for support.


    "It was herst wish. She wanted Daksh to be crowned as-"


    "She didn''t know what she was asking for," said Indra and closed his eyes. He could picture her holding


    little Daksh in her hands. "I''ve always tried my best to give everything to Daksh," he said. "You are a


    great father, Indra," said Dai Ma.


    ~~~~~~~


    Advika tossed the noodles in the pan as Ray shaped the Manchurian. "I must say, you''re as good as


    Ray," said Swarna and kept the ice cream to set in the freezer. Advika smiled and looked at Ray; he


    winked. "Mom," said Tej as he entered the kitchen, His eyes fell on Advika who was busy making the


    noddles. The thought of Advika working in his kitchen with his mom made him happy. "Yes, son," said


    Swarna. "Do you want anything?"


    Ray looked at Tej and teasingly smiled at him. "Ah... I was wondering if..."


    "We''ve set the dining table, aunty," said Zarna entering the kitchen. "Great, Tej," she said and motioned


    him to bring the food to the table. He nodded. "I''ll take the Manchurian," said Ray heading towards the


    hall.


    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    Tej helped Advika transfer the noodles into a container. "Are you alright?" she asked. "Yes, absolutely,


    why?" he asked perplexed. "You''re acting, somewhat... weird," said Advika.


    Shit, did she notice at all, he thought.


    "Nothing like that, I''m just... tensed about this book thing," he lied. "Don''t start stressing over things,


    that is my job," said Advika and smiled. "You don''t need to stress when I''m there," said Tej. "I mean


    when we''re there."


    ~~~~~~


    Daksh held Rutuja''s hand and squeezed it slightly. "Leave my hand," shemanded, trying to free


    her hand from his tight grasp. "Don''t you think you hang out too much with that guy," he muttered


    "It is my business," he said. "Dad said you are my responsibility."


    "I am my responsibility Mister Daksh Rajwansh," she said and freed her hand from his grip. "He asked


    you to help me when I need it, and I don''t need your help."


    Daksh,e here this instant, said a voice in his head. He at once recognized the voice and walked


    out of Rutuja''s bedroom.


    ~~~~~


    Daksh appeared in front of Azazel, who sat on his embellished throne ced in the centre of a ruined


    castle. He looked around and took a step towards Azazel.


    It was dark; the air musty, it had the smell of rotten onions.


    Daksh''s toe caught a rock, he stumbled, catching himself against a slimy wall. He could see Azazel


    resting on the throne; his eyes closed.


    "You summoned, master," said Daksh as he stood before Azazel. "Daksh," said Azazel in a husky


    voice, his eyes still closed. "I think it''s time you''re told the truth."


    "Truth? Master," said Daksh, perplexed.


    "Your mother Tara," he began. "Was killed by the book."


    Daksh fought back his tears and clenched his fists. He took a deep breath in and closed his eyes for a


    brief moment.


    "Your mother Tara died, and the book, let her," said Azazel as he got up from his throne and took a few


    steps towards Daksh. Daksh opened his eyes and looked at Azazel. That was the first time he had


    looked Azazel in the eye. Daksh always stood with his head bowed before his master.


    Azazel put his hand on Daksh''s shoulder. "The book had the power to save her, to give her a new life,


    but it didn''t. I can bring her back if you want."


    Daksh put his head down; a tear slid from his eye. "I will do anything for my mother," he said.


    "Then," said Azazel squeezing Daksh''s shoulders. "Help the five learn the powers from the book, be


    their guide." Daksh looked at Azazel, perplexed. "And bring them to me once they earn all the powers.


    We together will bring Tara back to life," whispered Azazel in Daksh''s ears.


    "I will do as you say," said Daksh.


    ~~~~~


    Rutuja paced across her bedroom, ncing at the window now and then. "What happened? Whom are


    you waiting for?" asked Rishi as he sat on the bed. "Daksh," said Rutuja peeping out of the window.


    The smile on Rishi''s face disappeared in no time at the thought of Daksh. "I thought you didn''t care


    about him," he said. "No," said Rutuja and swivelled. "I just don''t want him to join the evil side."


    "You said he was bad," said Rishi and got up from the bed. Rutuja opened her mouth to say something


    but Rishi stopped her. "I just came here to see if you had closed the window properly,st time the


    werewolves got in," he said and headed towards the window.


    What''s wrong with this guy, thought Rutuja.


    Rishi shut the windows and turned to look at Rutuja. "Putting a spell on it," he said and turned to face


    the window. He traced the edges of the window with his fingers; his eyes closed.


    Rutuja looked at him. Is he jealous? she thought. But why would he be?

 Chapter 16: Tej Attacked Advika?

    Chapter 16: Tej Attacked Advika?


    "Okay so," said Advika as the five friends - Rey, Zarna, Tej, Advika, and Maya sat in a circle. "Hold


    hands," she said.


    It''s the first time Tej ever held Advika''s hand. He felt ecstatic and tried hard to suppress his smile. Ray


    knew what was going on in his friend''s mind. "We need to concentrate on this," he said. "That goes


    without saying," added Maya. "To begin with," said Advika. "We need to feel our energy, and then other


    energies, as in, first I''ll feel my energy, then connect to you all."


    "Aye, aye, captain," said Ray and smiled.


    They closed their eyes and focussed on their breath for a brief moment. It felt like an eternity to Zarna,


    who was already being restless. She straightened her back and brought her focus back.


    Advika felt something tug at her core. Tej sensed energy radiate from his body; Maya''s hands went


    cold. Ray felt lighter, whereas Zarna felt all-powerful.


    Maya felt a gust of wind surround her; she opened her eyes at once. "Guys," she said. "The book," said


    Advika as the others opened their eyes. Zarna picked up the book and scanned it. "This is not our


    book," she said and passed it to Advika. Advika examined it and gave it to Maya. "Then which book


    have we summoned?" wondered Ray as he held the book in his hands.


    The book had a dark ck cover with some words scribbled on it in some foreignnguage. It was


    heavy and had an unusual shine. It had a golden lock with the key missing.


    "What is thisnguage?" questioned Ray. Maya and Advika exchanged a nce. "Arabic," said Advika.


    "Show the book," said Maya and kept her hand on the words inscribed in gold. "A, Z, A, Z, E, L," she


    tranted the letters. "Azazel," said Advika.


    A gust of cold wind encircled them; the lights went off. Advika held Tej''s hand. He held her hand and


    turned on the shlight of his phone. "Rx, everyone," he said. A ck mist began to emanate from


    the book. Maya flinched. "Advika... this is..."


    "The water, the holy water," stuttered Advika; her hand shaking, body shivering.


    Maya nodded her head and removed a small ss vial from her pocket. "Quick," said Advika. Maya


    began to shiver; the vial slipped from her hand and broke. The water spill half on the ground and a half


    on the book.


    Tej twisted Advika''s hand. "Aah," she cried. "Tej, leave her hand," Ray almost screamed. Zarna


    grasped Ray''s arm as Tej looked up. His red eyes sent a shiver down her spine. Advika kept her other


    hand on Tej''s head chanting some mantras. Maya followed. "Ray, hold his hands," said Zarna as Tej


    pushed Maya and dragged Advika towards the mirror in the room. "Catch him," said Maya and ran after


    them.


    Ray, Zarna, and Maya held his hand. Maya kept her right hand on his head chanting some mantras. Tej


    was too strong for all of them. His face turned pale and lips dry. Advika cried as he mmed her hand


    on the mirror. The mirror shattered into pieces. "Aaah," cried Advika and cupped her mouth; blood


    oozing from her hand. "Tej," screamed Ray.


    Zarna rushed to the ck book and kept the book where the vial had broken. The book absorbed the


    water; the ck began to disappear.


    Tej''s grip on Advika''s hand ckened, he left her hand, copsing on the floor. "Tej," said Advika with


    tears in her eyes. Ray sped towards the wardrobe and fetched a first aid box.


    "Give it to me," said Zarna and motioned him to look after Tej.


    Maya helped Rayy Tej on the bed. Zarna tied a bandage on Advika''s hand. "Feeling better?" she


    asked. "Yes," she said and went near Tej. Zarna followed. "Do you want a pain killer or something?"


    asked Ray. "No, I''m fine," assured Advika and sat near Tej. She ced her hand on his forehead and


    closed her eyes.


    "What is she trying to do?" whispered Zarna. "Trying to wave off the evil," said Maya. Ray sat on the


    ground and cleaned the blood off it. "Careful with the ss," said Maya. "Aunty shouldn''t know about


    it," said Advika as she opened her eyes. "But your hand and the ss," said Zarna. "We''ll cover up


    everything," said Advika.


    Ray threw the pieces of ss in the dustbin.


    Tej woke up with a start. Ray sped towards him. "Tej," he said. "Are you fine? Do you recognize us?"


    "Let hime to senses first," said Maya and pour water in a ss kept on the study table. Tej looked


    around him, discerning the surrounding.


    "What did I do?" he asked looking at his friends. "Nothing," lied Advika. "It wasn''t you, Tej," said Maya


    and sat at the foot of the bed. "Is it necessary we tell it to him now?" asked Advika. Tej''s eyes fell on


    her hand. He opened his mouth to say something but stopped and looked at Ray. "It wasn''t you, it was


    the ck mist, the evil powers," said Advika.


    "The book," said Zarna as they remembered about it. "It vanished," she said scanning the room.


    "ck mist. Legend has it these mist manipte you and turn you into something you''re not," said


    Advika. "We have read about it from the books in the library," added Maya. "How many times did you


    go there?" wondered Ray. "Quite a few times," said Maya. "But that''s not important."


    "I''m sorry," said Tej and held Advika''s hand. "Tej, it wasn''t you, you were bewitched," she said. A tear


    slid from his eye. Ray squeezed his friend''s shoulders. "Dude, don''t feel guilty, you know you can never


    hurt anyone of us," he consoled.


    "I think you should rest we''ll discuss thister," suggested Zarna. Maya agreed. "Let''s go to the other


    room and sleep," she said. "Come soon, Advika," said Zarna and left the room with Maya. "I''ll get


    something to eat," said Ray. "Ray, coffee please," said Advika. "Sure," he said and headed towards the


    kitchen downstairs.


    "Advika," said Tej. "I''m sorry, I can never hurt you, not even in my dreams."


    "I know," said Advika and held his hand. Tej examined her bandage. "Why didn''t you defend yourself,


    why did you..."


    "I knew that was not my Te-... I mean I knew it wasn''t you," she said and looked down. Tej smiled. Did


    she just say my Tej? he wondered.


    "Don''t think about it now, we''ll talk in the morn-"


    "Coffee," said Ray as he entered the bedroom. "That was quick," said Advika and took the cup. "Hot


    coffee?" she said. "I wanted cold coffee, you know it''s my favourite," she said. "It''s cold outside," said


    Tej. "Cold coffee is not good for you, you''ll fall sick," said Tej and sipped the coffee. "Exactly," added


    Ray and sat beside Tej.


    "Hi," said Maya as she entered the room with Zarna. "We didn''t feel like sleeping," said Zarna and sat


    on the bean bag. Maya pulled the chair near the study table and sat on it. "Should I make coffee for you


    guys too?" asked Ray. "No, it''s alright," said the girls in unison.


    "Advika," said Maya. "Do you remember that story about King Himaqat?"


    "Oh yes, how could I forget?" said Advika and kept the cup of coffee on the bed. "So guys, there was


    this King named Himakaq, he with his subjects tried summoning some book. It is believed that there


    was this book called Shaktigranth, it had powers, it could make you invincible with the knowledge it


    contained."


    "King Himaqat tried summoning it like we tried summoning the book," added Maya. "He by mistake


    called the evil book, which was the twin of the book Shaktigranth."


    "Wow, even books have twins," said Ray in amazement.


    "What happened after that?" asked Tej.


    "The other book, which was evil, took their souls away," said Advika. "It is believed that they are still


    trapped in that book," added Advika.


    "Still trapped? As in, this moment, they are trapped in the book?" asked Ray.


    "Yes, nobody knows where the book is right now, it''s been years, centuries now," said Maya.


    "But Tej was attacked, like bewitched," said Zarna. "Maybe this book wasn''t that powerful," guessed


    Advika and sipped the coffee.


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    "I agree it depends on the power of the book and its intention," said Maya.


    "We almost forgot about that name, Azazel," said Ray. "The book had this name," he remarked and


    looked at Advika and Maya, expecting that they would know something about this name too.


    "I''ve heard this name for the first time," said Maya. "Azazel, ording to Jewish Legends, is a demon


    or evil spirit," said Advika and kept the coffee mug on themp table beside the bed. "So? It means the


    book, is he the owner of the book, the master?" questioned Tej. "Quite possible," said Advika.


    "So what should be our next step?" wondered Zarna.


    "Stepping out is not safe, going to the barrennd is not safe," concluded Advika. "Yes, of course,


    practising in the four walls is so safe," said Maya and crossed her arms smiling. Advika looked at her


    injured hand and pursed her lips.


    "We should first protect ourselves," said Maya. "I know a ritual you might be knowing about it too,


    Advika."


    Advika nodded her head in a yes. "Drawing the protection circle," she said.


    "Right, I''m sorry I should have done this before but betterte than never," said Maya and got up from


    the chair. "No need to apologize, we all make mistakes, plus you didn''t know that Tej would attack-"


    "Zarna," Advika cut Zarna mid-sentence. "Sorry, I mean you didn''t know we''d be bewitched," covered


    up Zarna.


    "Okay guys, night night, see you all in the morning," said Maya and left the room. Zarna followed.


    Advika squeezed Tej''s hands. "Take care, don''t think too much," she said and smiled. "Remember it''s


    my job."

 Chapter 17: Escaping Again

    Chapter 17: Escaping Again


    Daksh banged his fist on the trunk of a tree. Tears slid from his eyes.


    He stood in the middle of an abandoned forest; the ce where his father used to teach self-defence to


    small children before setting up the academy.


    Azazel''s men had destroyed the men and abducted many of those children. Since then, Indra shifted to


    a new ce and set up a secret academy.


    "Daksh, what are you doing here at this time of-" Rutuja paused for a brief moment. That was the first


    time she saw tears in Daksh''s eyes. Tears, emotions, vulnerability were things alien to Daksh. He


    portrayed himself as a strong and fearless person.


    "Daksh," said Rutuja as she took a step forward.


    Daksh wiped his tears and pulled himself together. He faked a smile. "Following me? Are you?" he


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    asked and walked towards her.


    "What''s wrong?" she asked. "Concern, concern for me? I like it," he said as he moved close to her. She


    pushed him behind. "It''s okay if you don''t want to tell. Just don''t roam around like this, it''s dangerous


    you know," she warned.


    "What are you doing here?" he asked.


    "Rishi said you were missing," she said and looked at the trunk of the tree. "Again Rishi," muttered


    Daksh and clenched his fists.


    "What is... Daksh you are bleeding," she said and held his hand.


    "It''s nothing," he whispered and removed her hand.


    "Let''s go home, it''ste, you need to apply something on this," she said and pulled him along with her.


    ~~~~~~


    "Morning, children!" said Swarna as she served them the breakfast. "Your strong coffee," she said as


    she handed a fancy coffee mug to Advika. "Thanks, ouch!" said Advika and kept the cup back on the


    table at once. Tej rushed to her side. "Does it still hurt? Are you fine? Do you need a painkiller?" she


    questioned. Swarna smiled, looking at them.


    Advika looked at Tej and then at Swarna. "The coffee is too hot, I''m fine, Tej," she lied. Swarna kept her


    hand on Tej''s shoulder. "She''s fine, son. But why do you look so pale?" she asked.


    "Aah... I''m tired," that was all Tej could think. "We''ve been travelling a lot these days," added Ray. "And


    Tej is working hard for his new physics project."


    "Project? I didn''t know about it. But I''m d you kids are focussing on your careers," she said and


    smiled.


    Maya descended the stairs. "Sorry, I''mte," she said as she took a seat at the dining table. "Not a


    problem, here''s your green tea," said Swarna.


    "Thanks, aunty," said Maya and took a sip of the green tea.


    "Children, I''m off to work, see you guys soon," she said and left.


    ~~~~~~~~~


    "There''s something he''s hiding," said Rutuja as she sipped her thick cold coffee. Rishi nced at


    Daksh, who was practising with his sword in the yard opposite their house.


    "I hope he doesn''t join the dark side," said Rutuja and watched him do a cartwheel bncing the


    sword.


    "That he will not, I''m sure," said Rishi and patted Rutuja''s head. "You worry too much."


    Rutuja smiled at his gesture. "I''m d I have you after my parents passed away, it''s been Dai Maa,


    you, Master Indra, and Daksh."


    Daksh sliced the tree''s trunk with his sword and fell on his knees. Rutuja hurried to him with a water


    bottle in her hands. "Is it necessary to always wear yourself out?"


    "I love when you care about me like that," said Daksh and smiled.


    Rishi watched them from a distance. He could feel jealously built up, though he tried suppressing the


    feeling, he failed.


    "All I care is about our mission. It has nothing to do with you," said Rutuja and offered him water.


    Daksh gulped down the water. "Let''s go inside, it''s too sunny here, he said and held Rutuja''s hand.


    Doesn''t miss a chance to hold her hand, Rishi thought as he saw them approaching their house.


    "Master Indra?" said Rishi as he spun around. Indra had appeared out of nowhere.


    "Dad?" said Daksh keeping his sword back in its leather scabbard. Rutuja snapped her fingers; all


    doors and windows shut at once.


    Indra nodded his head at Rutuja.


    "We have to rush it''s not safe here anymore," he said and motioned Rishi and Rutuja to take their


    swords.

 Chapter 18: Grantha

    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


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    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.

 Chapter 19: On the Beach

    Chapter 19: On the Beach


    Advika hid her face with her scarf and came out from her hiding ce. "What do you want from us?"


    she questioned, standing in front of the attacker.


    "You, you all," he said, walking towards her.


    She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and stamped her foot on the ground. The boy fell on his


    knees as the ground beneath them shook slightly.


    "Advika, the power of the element Earth," he said as he dusted his ck pant and got to his feet.


    How does he know my name? Advika thought. She scanned the forest, searching for an escape.


    "You can''t escape," said the boy.


    "Daksh," he heard a voice say. He looked in all directions, searching for the source of the voice.


    "Leave them, and leave Azazel''s side as well, or else, you will be punished too," said Grantha.


    Daksh smirked. "So you''ve got the book taking now," he said and put his sword back in its sheath.


    "Advika, run!" said the book. She, at once, grabbed some dirt on the ground and threw it in his eyes.


    Daksh wiped his eyes with his sleeves and ran behind her.


    She sped towards the opening of the forest with Daksh following her. He pushed her from behind; she


    hit the ground.


    "Aah!" she cried. Tears slid from her eyes. She injured herself; blood oozing out from her knee.


    Daksh tied her hands and picked her up, dragging her with him.


    ~~~~


    The book opened; air blew violently uprooting the trees, inducing a storm in the forest.


    "Aaahh!" cried Zarna holding the trunk of the tree. They clung to the tree, saving themselves from the


    wild winds.


    The trees, the white rock, and every creature present in the forest began to be sucked up in the book.


    Daksh found himself hanging in the air. Advika ran towards her friends, going against the direction of


    the wind.


    "Leave the tree, Grantha wants us in herself, she''s saving us," cried Advika.


    "Now who''s Grantha?" screamed Ray holding on to the tree. Tej nced at Advika who, like a leaf was


    carried by the winds towards the book.


    "Advikaaa!" he screamed and left hold of the tree.


    ''


    One by one, all of them were carried towards the book and into it, as though the book absorbed them


    into itself.


    ~~~~~


    "The portal, Rishi, the portal," said Rutuja heading towards the second floor of the library. Her heels


    hitting the wooden steps.


    "How are you even running wearing those?" said Rishi following her.


    "The portal can take us to Daksh," she said as she opened the door. "We have to find him before


    Master Indraes to know that he''s missing."


    ~~~~~


    Zarna took in the fresh air and spread her arms. "Guys, wended on the beach again," she said.


    Tej rushed towards Advika. "You''re bleeding," he said as he touched her knee. Advika removed a band-


    aid from her jeans pocket. Tej immediately took it from her and helped her with it.


    "Thankfully, you chose to wear shorts today, on my suggestion of course," said Zarna and crossed her


    arms smiling.


    Ray and Maya tied Daksh against a rock on the beach. "Your powers won''t work here, dude," said


    Maya and headed towards her friends who sat at the shore. Ray followed.


    "Why won''t his powers work here?" asked Ray.


    "This is our area, our vicinity, the book''s I mean. No evil powers allowed," she replied.


    "You okay?" said Ray and sat beside Advika. She nodded her head and smiled. Zarna''s eyes fell on


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Daksh; she started walking towards him.


    "What are you up to?" asked Ray.


    "Talk," she replied.


    "He''s not worth it," said Advika. "He didn''t listen to the book, Grantha, why will he listen to us?"


    "What are you talking about? Who Grantha?" asked Maya.


    "The book," replied Advika. Tej helped her get to her feet.


    "You''re saying that Grantha is the name of the book and she talked with that guy," wondered Tej, still


    holding her hand.


    "When I hid behind that white rock in the forest, the book talked, no kidding," said Advika.


    "Where''s the book now?" asked Maya and crossed her arms.


    "Technically it absorbed us into it," said Zarna.


    "Are we like inside the book then?" wondered Ray.


    "He''s running away!" cried Maya.


    ~~~~~


    "Ouch!" said Rutuja as she fell on Rishi.


    "Luckily, you had a safending," he said and smiled.


    Rutuja got up and helped Rishi get to his feet. The air blew her hair across her face. Rishi started at


    her.


    "Rishi," she said and grabbed his jacket stepping closer to him. A crab passed by on the sand beneath.


    He tied her hair with a clip.


    She smiled, "where''d you get it from?"


    "You left it behind the day we parted," said Rishi.


    "I was ten," said Rutuja and hugged him. "You kept it all this time?"


    "How wouldn''t I?" he said and hugged her back, smiling. His smile disappeared when he saw Daksh


    running towards them with three people behind him.


    Daksh fell on his knees as Ray jumped on him from behind. Maya, at once, punched his nose. Zarna


    tied his hands with a rope and threw some sand in his eyes.


    "Daksh!" cried Rutuja and ran towards him. Rishi followed.


    "O, My God! He''s the one, the one who I had a vision about, the guy that fought with Tej," revealed


    Maya.


    Rutuja saw a ball of fire heading towards her; she ducked. The ball hit Rishi who was running behind


    her. "Rishi!" she screamed.

 Chapter 20: The Fight!

    Chapter 20: The Fight!


    Tej''s move made heads turn.


    "Dude," said Ray. "That was literally fire!"


    Rutuja dragged him to the shore and pushed him into the water. Rishi dusted his jacket and jeans; rage


    dripping from his eyes.


    "Aaah!" that was all that left Rutuja''s mouth before she fell into the water after Advika kicked her in the


    back.


    "Rutu!" screamed Daksh struggling against the rope. Maya kept her hand on his head and chanted


    some mantras.


    "Aahhh!" he screamed.


    "What are you doing?" asked Ray.


    "Just a second you guys," interrupted Zarna. "Wasn''t Advika injured like a few moments ago."


    "Attention seeker," said Maya and looked at Advika nodding her head.


    Rutuja got to her feet and raised her hand, which was blocked by Advika. Rutuja kicked Advika on her


    knee, which was already injured.


    "Aaah!" said Advika.


    Tej and Zarna rushed towards her.


    Rishi went for Tej, punching him on the nose. Tej, recovering from the blow, lifted his right leg and hit


    Rishi on his shoulder. Rishi pursed his lip andnded a blow in Tej''s chest.


    "Oh, I love drama," said Ray.


    "Seriously, Ray?" said Maya, amazed at the casualness in his tone.


    Rutuja held Advika and Zarna by their hair, dragging them to the shore. She put her arms around their


    neck, almost choking them.


    "Stop!" screamed Maya and held a small de near Daksh''s neck.


    "Hurt my friends and, I''ll kill him," she threatened.


    ~~~~


    Rishi stepped behind. Rutuja, let go of both the girls.


    "Why don''t we talk?" said Ray and helped Maya take Daksh to the shore.


    "This guy attacked us," said Maya.


    "Who are you guys?" asked Advika.


    "Daksh," said Rutuja and took a step towards him. "Did you attack them?"


    "Why?" asked Rishi, removing his jacket as the atmosphere was getting hot.


    "Yes, we were minding our business, and this guyes and attacks us," said Ray.


    "No," spoke Daksh. "You weren''t minding your own business." He looked at Rutuja. "These guys have


    the book. They have earned the powers," he revealed.


    "That''s not possible," said Rishi.


    "Yeah? How do you think this guy hit you with the fireball? How can these guys fight us? Us?" said


    Daksh.


    Rishi walked towards Rutuja. "You need special powers to hurt or make Daksh weak," he whispered in


    her ears. "He''s strong, too strong for even us."


    "Okay," said Advika and stepped forward, standing between the two groups. "Let''s sort this out. What


    do you guys have to do with the book?"


    "We are the protectors," said Rutuja.


    "Protectors?" wondered Maya.


    "We are trained to protect the book," rified Rutuja. "Fight the enemy."


    "Who''s the enemy? Why does the book need protection?" questioned Maya.


    "Wait," interrupted Rishi. "Where and how did you guys get the book?"


    "In a library, well, that''s not important, how are you guys rted to the book, who appointed you as the


    protectors?" quizzed Tej.


    "This all is very confusing," added Ray. Zarna nodded her head in agreement.


    "We both don''t mean any harm to the book," said Zarna. "So, technically, there''s no reason to be


    enemies."


    "Exactly," added Ray. "Why fight when our mission is the same."


    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    "Daksh," said Rutuja and helped him get to his feet. "How did you know about these guys? And why


    didn''t you consider telling us?"


    "The hero doesn''t like taking help you see, Ru," added Rishi.


    "I came here thinking you needed help," said Rutuja. She walked towards Advika. "Listen, just hand us


    the book, and get out of this matter. It''s dangerous. Not for pretty little girls."


    Dakshughed.


    Advika crossed her arms. "Take it from us if you got the guts," she said.


    Tej and Ray exchanged a nce, smiling at each other.


    "Daksh, no!" said Rishi extending his arm towards the object Daksh threw in the air.


    ~~~~


    "Why would you do that, Daksh?" said Rutuja as she dusted the dirt from her hands.


    Rishinded with his back on the ground.


    Daksh got up and locked the portal. They stood on the second floor of the library.


    "I was saving us," he replied and put his ring back into his thumb.


    "Master Indra gave you take the ring for emergencies," said Rutuja and crossed her arms.


    "Those guys there could win over us," said Daksh.


    "No way," said Rutuja. "I was just going to take that book from that girl."


    "It was their area, they held an upper hand," said Rishi.


    "Plus, the book is with them, I mean on their side," added Daksh.


    "Why do you say so?" asked Rutuja.


    "Well, when I went there to take the book from them, the book stopped me, she is with them," replied


    Daksh.


    "She?" wondered Rishi.


    "I heard the book talk it was a female voice," revealed Daksh.


    Daksh, Rutuja, Rishi, where are you children? Return to the cottage now!


    They heard a voice in their head.


    They closed their eyes and disappeared into thin air.

 Chapter 21: The Attack

    Chapter 21: The Attack


    "May I know where you have been?" questioned Indra as he stood tall, towering them; their heads


    bowed before him.


    "The temple," Daksh lied. "I went to the temple without telling these guys, so they came there searching


    for me."


    "And why exactly, would you in such a situation go to the temple?" asked Indra.


    "Indra," said Dai Ma, entering the small room in the cottage. "The High Priest has summoned us, this


    instant we must leave."


    Indra nodded his head.


    They crossed their arms, closing their eyes and vanished, leaving the three of them alone.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    Rutuja sighed.


    "Saved," added Rishi. "Thank you, High Priest."


    "The High Priest is in Srinagar, right?" questioned Rutuja and looked at Rishi.


    "Yes, Shankaracharya Temple. Why?" said Rishi as he threw the jacket on one of the six chairs around


    the dining table.


    "He has special powers, how doesn''t he knows about the book being in the wrong hands?" wondered


    Rutuja.


    "Those five might be good, you know," said Rishi and sat on the chair. Rutuja opened her mouth to say


    something but then stopped.


    "Yes, they attacked us, that''s because Daksh attacked them first, it''s not their fault, they were ready to


    talk," Rishi rified.


    Rutuja looked at Daksh.


    "Well, I came to know that they had the book so. . ."


    "So? You didn''t consider telling anyone of us or Master Indra?" interrupted Rutuja.


    "Okay, what''s done is done, it is time for damage control," said Rishi and kept his hand on Rutuja''s


    hand.


    Daksh red at Rishi; Rishi smirked.


    "What next then?" asked Rutuja.


    "Daksh obviously knows where those guys live," said Rishi as he poured some water in a ss.


    Rutuja looked at Daksh; her eyes demanding the truth.


    Daksh fought the urge to punch Rishi right in the face.


    "Daksh," said Rutuja.


    "Well, yes," he replied. He could not lie.


    "So done then, we''re going to their ce and taking the book from them," said Rutuja and headed


    upstairs banging her heels against the floor.


    ~~~~~


    There was a knock on the door.


    The five friends had gathered at Tej''s house, enjoying a hot cup of coffee, sitting in the hall.


    "It might be mom," said Tej and opened the door.


    With an anguished shriek, Tej fell to his knees, clutching his stomach.


    "Tej!" screamed Advika.


    Daksh lunged at Ray, dagger in hand. However, at thest moment, Ray snatched up a metal pan from


    the table beside him and smacked it into Daksh''s face with a loud crunch.


    Rutuja kicked Maya in the stomach and pushed Zarna on the ss table with enough force to shatter


    the ss. Blood oozing out from Zarna''s forehead.


    Advika''s heart leapt in her chest. Rutuja held Advika''s hands behind her back with a knife held against


    her throat.


    "Where is the book?" she demanded.


    Ray thrust his arms forward, and blue lightning surged towards Rishi,pletely obliterating Rishi''s


    own beam of energy. With a cry, Rishi threw up his hands in a feeble attempt to protect himself from


    the oing lightning and sank to the ground.


    Ray snapped his fingers, and the lightning reeled away from Rishi, springing back to his fingertips,


    before disintegrating in a shower of blue sparks.


    Tej threw a ball of fire towards Daksh. Daksh blocked it with a ball of vacuum that emanated from his


    hands.


    "Stop!" screamed Rutuja. The knife drew blood from Advika''s throat.


    "Give us the book, otherwise," she said and tightened her grip on Advika''s throat.


    Tears slid from Advika''s eyes. Grantha help, she thought.


    ~~~~~


    Sometimes you have to be your own hero, Advika, Advika heard a voice in her head.


    Advika closed her eyes. Maybe you''re right, she thought.


    The window opened; a gust of wind entered the hall.


    "Now," said Advika and stomped her foot on the floor.


    Rutuja, Daksh, and Rishi lost their bnce, falling t on the floor.


    The air surrounded Rutuja and Advika. Advika snatched the knife from Rutuja.


    "Maya, help Advika, we''ll see these guys," said Tej as he threw a ball of fire towards Daksh.


    Daksh sent a psi ball towards Tej. Tej hit his head on the chair kept beside him.


    "I don''t want to hurt you," said Advika, pointing the knife''s edge towards her enemy.


    Rutujaughed mockingly. "What makes you think you can hurt me?" she said and got to her feet.


    Zarna grabbed a jug full of water from the kitchen and threw the water on the floor. Rishi looked at her,


    confused.


    Zarna formed a ball with her hands. Ripples began to appear in the water dropped on the floor. The


    water rose from the floor, took the form of a ball, and with onemand from Zarna, headed towards


    Rishi.


    Rishi moved his hands in a circr motion, creating a ball of energy to block the attacking from


    Zarna.


    Boom! sh!


    Both the balls of energy and water collided in the air.


    Zarna picked her right leg to kick Rutuja, however, Rutuja swivelled and held her leg, twitching it,


    sending a wave of pain in her body.


    Advika sat down to pull her leg, but Rutuja kicked her.


    "Ouch!" she said as she hit her knee on the floor.


    The girls exchanged a nce. Advika nodded her head in a no.


    Maya removed a small cloth bag from her jeans'' pocket and drew some powder out of it.


    "Maya, no," said Advika.


    Maya threw the powder on Rutuja. She tossed the bag in the air, directing the powder towards Rishi


    and Daksh.


    The powder fell on Daksh''s head. Zarna motioned Tej to stop attacking.


    Ray jumped on Rishi, tying his hands with a cloth he took from the kitchen.


    "Ray, move," said Zarna.


    The powder, in the form of small balls, fell on Rishi.


    Rutuja, Rishi, and Daksh hit the floor, disappearing into thin air.


    ~~~~


    "Tej," said Advika and rushed towards him. "Zarna, can you please get the first-aid box from his room,"


    she said and put her handkerchief on his bleeding forehead.


    Ray poked Tej with his elbow and smiled. Tej smiled back. He loved the way Advika cared for him.


    "Adu," said Zarna as she picked up one of the pieces of the shattered ss.


    "Careful with it," said Ray.


    Zarna nodded her head and kept threw the ss back on the floor. "Why did you stop Maya from using


    that powder, and what was that powder?"


    "That powder, it''s called the Schwinger powder," revealed Advika as she applied antiseptic cream on


    Tej''s wounds.


    "The day we went to the ancient library, we found a book there, it had this powder, which I stole," said


    Maya.


    "The book clearly said this powder could transport people to... anywhere, literally anywhere, into a


    different dimension also," said Advika and looked at Maya.


    "I suppose it works," said Maya.


    "I''m worried for those guys, God knows where theynded, hope they are safe," said Advika.


    "I don''t believe this, you''re wishing good for our enemies," said Maya.


    "I think the hall needs cleaning," interrupted Ray and went to the kitchen.


    Small pieces of ssy all over the wet floor. The sofa was dishevelled. The white powdery in


    patches near the door and sofa.


    "Careful with the powder," said Maya as Ray came back from the kitchen with a broom and mop in his


    hands.

 Chapter 22: Into Another Dimension

    Chapter 22: Into Another Dimension


    "Where are we?" said Rutuja as she got up from the rugged ground.


    Rishi looked at the ck leaves hanging from the timid trees that surrounded them. He dusted the wet


    mud from his hands and jeans. The twigs crunched under their feet.


    Daksh scanned the ce.


    The trees were mdy-brown. The musty air was difficult to breathe.


    They stood in the middle of an umber-brown ancient forest. It reeked of age. Every sprawling tree they


    passed through reminded them of a watchful guardian.


    "Why do I feel like these trees are staring at me?" Rutuja whispered as they walked through the forest.


    "It feels like a different dimension," said Rishi as he jumped, escaping a ditch in his way.


    The further they went, the more mystical and spellbinding it became.


    They arrived at a wide de, where the trees began to disappear, revealing the bespeckled sky.


    "Wherever we are," said Rutuja. "We need to get back home."


    "Daksh, the ring can help," said Rishi. His eyes fell on his reflection in the water. He closed his eyes at


    once and stepped back.


    Daksh tossed the ring in the air.


    "No, that''s not possible," he said as it hit the ground.


    "Nothing happened?" said Rutuja bemused.


    "Try it again," said Rishi, his eyes scanning the forest.


    Daksh, once again, threw the ring in the air.


    The wind caused ripples in the de, the atmosphere turning ice cold. The green leaves began to turn


    ck and froze.


    The ring hit the ground, spinning in its ce.


    "Impossible," said Daksh.


    "This was supposed to transport us to the portal," said Rutuja rubbing her arms.


    Daksh removed his jacket and ced it around Rutuja''s shoulders.


    "Thanks," she murmured.


    "Rishi, what are you doing?" she asked, turning to him.


    Rishi opened his eyes. "Calling Master Indra for help."


    "What!? No," said Daksh and took a step towards Rishi. "We can''t tell him about the five, yet, he''ll


    ground us, we''ll be locked in that cottage forever."


    "You got any better ideas?" asked Rishi.


    "Daksh, we''ll think of an excuseter, but now we need to get out of here," said Rutuja and held his


    arm.


    Rishi pushed Rutuja and Daksh aside as a wolf jumped in their direction. He removed a dagger from


    the inside of his jacket and shed the animal on his steel grey ws.


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Rishi!" cried Rutuja.


    "Rutuja, careful," said Daksh as roots began to crawl from beneath the ground, surrounding her.


    "Daksh!" screamed Rutuja.


    Four ck paws, now red, stood firm to the Earth''s soil, the beast lowered its head while its ember


    eyes watched every move of its victim. Blood oozed out from Daksh''s shoulders.


    "Aaahh," screamed Rutuja as thorns stemming from the branches, pierced her skin.


    ~~~~


    Tej hit the brake as they arrived at the temple.


    "Negative," said Maya as she stepped out of the car, keeping the meter back in her pocket.


    Advika could feel her heart pounding. Zarna squeezed her hand. "I''m feeling scared too," she said.


    Tej locked the car as Ray switched on the torch. "Onward ho!"


    "Advika, rx," said Tej and held her hand. "We''ll be fine."


    "C''mon guys," said Maya as she led the way. Ray almost jumped in excitement.


    ~~~~


    "Noooo!" cried Rutuja as a sword pierced through his skin, and blood oozed out from the wounds.


    Daksh took in a deep breath, closed his eyes, gathered all the force he had and threw the wolf in the air


    and rushed towards Rishi, whoy in the pool of his own blood.


    Rutuja grabbed the branches encircling her. The thorns dug deeper in her skin. Closing her eyes, she


    chanted a mantra.


    Her skin began to glow, her wounds healing themselves. She could feel energy gather around her


    finger.


    A glowing round object appeared on her forefinger.


    "Rutuja, no," said Daksh. Rishi lying on hisp.


    She grabbed the branches and uprooted them from the tree they were sprawling from, tossing them


    into the air.


    Daksh lifted Rishi on his back. He stood there for a brief moment; a tear slid from his eyes. "Danj," he


    said.


    Rutuja rushed towards them, the mud seeping in her heels. She rose her hands in the air and as if on


    cue, the wolves went up in the air, disappearing into a thin mist.


    She ced her hand on Rishi''s forehead. The ring stopped glowing.


    "Why? Why wouldn''t the ring work?" she wondered and looked at Daksh.


    "See if the ring can take us back," suggested Daksh, tightening his grip on Rishi''s hand. "You know it


    can''t do that, but still, I''ll try," said Rutuja and closed her eyes, bringing the ring near her chest.


    ~~~~~


    "I don''t want to go back in there," said Advika, clutching Zarna''s hand.


    "Yes, thest time we were almost choked to death," added Zarna.


    "But the sound, the music ising from here," said Maya and pushed open the sliding door on the


    ground.


    "And we have ropes with us this time, we''ve sent those three to, doesn''t matter where we''re all set this


    time," said Ray and tied the rope to one of the four pirs of the temple.


    "Advika," whispered Tej and kept his hand on her shoulder. "It''ll all be fine. Our enemies are there


    fighting their own battles, and there''s no one to attack us."


    "I''m going first. Everyone else follows," said Ray and went down with the help of the rope.


    ~~~~~~


    "No," said Rutuja and ran her fingers through her long hair.


    Daksh was still carrying Rishi on his back.


    Rutuja stepped in front of them as a massive circle of fire appeared in front of them.


    "Rutuja," Daksh said and held her hand as the airing from the circle pulled her within it.


    "Daksh, take care of Rishi," she said as the air sucked her up.


    "Rutuja!" screamed Daksh as the winds took her near the circle and then within it. He tightened his grip


    on Rishi as the air pushed both of them towards the centre of the circle.


    Daksh jumped in the air and entered the circle,nding on the hard wooden ground, alongside Rishi.


    ~~~~~

 Chapter 23: Kings and Queens

    Chapter 23: Kings and Queens


    Maya walked towards the stone table in the secret underground room. She looked at her reflection in


    the water of the golden ss bowl.


    "The sound isn''ting from the water," said Advika and rubbed the sand off the stone table.


    Zarna touched the music sybles engraved on the stone table. Soft music escaped from the


    engravings.


    "What does this music mean?" wondered Ray and looked around the room.


    Tej picked up a rather odd-looking book and dusted the dirt off it.


    "There''s something with you and books I believe," said Maya and walked towards him.


    "It''s locked," he said as he held the small silver lock attached to the book.


    "The key," said Ray as he picked up a small circr shaped object lying on the ground.


    Tej took it from Ray and pursed his lips. "No bro, this ain''t the key. At least not of this lock."


    "Hmmm," said Ray and kept the key in his pocket.


    Advika looked into the ss bowl.


    "Advika," said Maya. "Are you nning on-"


    "Yes," said Advika and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath in.


    "nning what?" asked Tej and took a step towards her.


    "Legend has it. This water can answer your questions, almost all questions," revealed Maya. "We got


    this info from books of course. We''ve been doing a lot of researchtely."


    Ray looked up at the sliding door above them. Zarna nudged him. "Nothing, just making sure we''re not


    trapped again," he said.


    "Hey, I lost my favourite headband, can the water tell me where it is?" asked Ray and pouted. Tej


    smiled and tilted his head.


    "Seriously, Ray, we''re in the middle of something serious," said Maya and nodded her head.


    "Tell me, O Holy Water, where does the secret to the-"


    The shlights of their phones flickered. The rope caught fire.


    "Move," said Zarna and pulled Ray behind.


    Advika opened her eyes and swivelled.


    "No, no, Advika,plete the question," said Maya and spread her arms in the air. "We''ll handle this."


    "Tell me, O Holy Water, what is the secret of the elements?"


    The water in the golden bowl moved in a circr motion, forming a whirlwind within.


    Advika stepped back at once. She kept her hand on her chest and took a deep breath. "Rx, rx,


    everything is fine," she murmured.


    Maya spun her hands in a circr motion making an invisible ball, gathering air within it and directed it


    towards the rope. The fire went off.


    Tej grabbed the rope. Ray followed.


    "No, Ray," said Tej and looked at his friend.


    "Ouch!" cried Ray leaving the rope.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    "Tej is fire, Ray. Hot things cannot harm him, but they can harm you," said Maya.


    "Understood," said Ray and removed a handkerchief from his pocket. He covered his palm with it and


    grabbed the rope. Both the boys started to climb up through the rope.


    "That''s us, the five of us," said Zarna as she peeped in the golden bowl.


    Tej wore a bejewelled crown, sitting on a throne surrounded by four other thrones. On his left, sat


    Advika, her crown made from pearls and opals. On his right, was Ray, smiling bright, fidgetting with his


    golden crown.


    Maya was seated next to Ray. She wore a silver Diadem. Zarna, on the other hand, wore a crown


    made up of fresh flowers and some gems.


    They were seated in what looked like a massive hall.


    "Why are we dressed like Kings and Queens?" wondered Zarna.


    "How does this picture answer my question?" quizzed Advika.


    "Girls," called Maya holding the rope. "We need to get out of here asap," she said and started to climb


    up with the help of the rope.


    Zarna rushed towards the rope and grabbed it. "Advika, quick," she said as she pushed herself up the


    rope.


    Advika nodded her head and gave ast look to the picture in the bowl, smiling.


    ~~~~~


    Daksh squeezed Rutuja''s hand as she wiped her tears sitting beside Rishi. His body covered in


    bandages.


    "Would you care to tell me how did you reach there?" asked Indra as he stood in front of the small cot


    on which the children sat.


    Daksh and Rutuja exchanged a nce.


    "So, you were the one who sent that ring of fire?" asked Daksh.


    "That''s not the answer to my question," said Indra.


    "Where''s Dai Ma?" asked Rutuja.


    "She''s busy preparing medicine for Rishi," answered Indra and looked at Rishi. "Who attacked you?"


    "Wolves," said Rutuja. "We were going through books on the second floor of the library."


    "And?" said Indra.


    "The portal. It started emitting some kind of light. The next thing we knew we were into it and


    transported to somece," she lied and clutched Rishi''s hand.


    "You weren''t supposed to step out in the first ce," said Indra.


    "Sorry Master Indra, I know, but we just wanted to-"


    "It was my idea," said Daksh.


    "Well, of course, that doesn''t need to be told," said Indra.


    Dai Ma entered the room with a bowl full of some liquid.


    Rutuja kept her hand on Rishi''s head. "He isn''t awake yet," she said.


    "He''ll be fine. I''ve given him an injection," said Dai Ma and handed the bowl to Rutuja.


    ~~~~~

 Chapter 24: Discussions and More

    Chapter 24: Discussions and More


    "Kinds and Queens?" wondered Maya as she tied her curly hair into a bun.


    "But what I asked was different," said Advika and leaned on the pillow.


    Tej''s house had be their meeting ce since the attack. All their meetings were held in his


    bedroom.


    Ray sat on the floor and leaned against the bean bag closing his eyes.


    "Was there something else you noticed?" asked Tej and sat next to Ray. Zarnay down on the bed,


    almost in the mood to sleep.


    Maya, on the other hand, paced across the room.


    "Colors," said Advika.


    There was a knock on the door. Maya opened the door with a smile.


    Advika got down from the bed and went to help Maya and Swarna with the coffee mugs.


    "Hello, children," said Swarna as she ced a tray on the table. It had five tes in it with a sandwich


    and some chips each.


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    "Hi, aunt Swarna," they chirped.


    "How are you guys doing?" she asked and handed over a te to Ray.


    "Fabulous, as always," said Ray and took the te sitting upright.


    "What happened to your hand?" she asked and examined Ray''s hand which was covered with his


    handkerchief.


    "Nothing really," he replied and smiled.


    "How''s your new project going, aunt," asked Zarna, changing the topic.


    "Oh, wonderful. There are challenges, but what''s life without some adventure," she replied and smiled.


    "I agree," said Maya and took a sip of the green tea.


    "Did you get hurt too?" said Swarna and advanced towards Advika who was standing near the bean


    bag holding a coffee mug.


    Tej looked at her from head to toe. Swarna touched Advika''s forehead. "Ouch!" she said and pursed


    her lips.


    "Are you fine?" said Tej as he got up keeping the sandwich back on the te. Swarna smiled at him


    and then at Advika.


    "Yes, I''m fine. I might have hit my head somewhere," she said.


    "Take care," she said and kept her hand on Advika''s head. Advika smiled at her and nodded her head.


    ~~~~


    "Rishi," said Rutuja as Dai Ma helped him sit straight on the small cot.


    Daksh stood in the corner of the room, leaning on the wall, staring at Rishi.


    "Rishi," said Rutuja and hugged him; tears streaming from her eyes.


    He slightly smiled and put his arm around her.


    Daksh closed his eyes and turned his head to face the window.


    "I''ll be right back," said Dai Ma and headed towards the kitchen.


    Daksh walked in the direction of the bed and stood there facing Rishi.


    "Rishi, you''ll be fine," assured Rutuja and kept her hand on his injured shoulder.


    "Weak, are you?" said Daksh and crossed his arms.


    "You wish," said Rishi.


    "Boys," said Rutuja and red at both of them.


    "Tell me, Rishi, why wouldn''t Rutu''s ring work on you?" asked Daksh and sat on the chair in the room.


    "Ring?" quizzed Rishi.


    "The Rescue Ring. My ring, you remember, it heals wounds, and can call help," said Rutuja.


    "I don''t know," said Rishi and closed his eyes touching his forehead. "Maybe because of that ce, it


    was evil, good powers don''t work in such evil ces."


    Daksh looked at Rishi and nodded his head. "I''ll see you guys in a while," he said and left the room.


    ~~~~


    "If it wasn''t those three, then who stopped us in the temple there?" wondered Maya and sipped the


    green tea.


    "Maybe charms," said Advika and put down her coffee mug.


    "As in?" asked Ray and took a big bite of the sandwich.


    "Sorcerers can put charms on a particr ce to protect it from the intruders," exined Advika.


    "So, the charms like, are like a hurdle in the intruder''s path?" quizzed Zarna.


    "Yes. Charms can stop the intruders, in this case, us, to achieve their goal or steal anything," added


    Maya.


    "But, why did that magical bowl show us as Kings and Queens?" wondered Tej.


    "I noticed we were wearing different crowns," said Advika and sipped the coffee. "It kind of reflected our


    personalities and choices somewhere."


    "Yes, I noticed I wore a crown of flowers and gems, something close to nature, I believe," said Zarna.


    "What was my crown like?" asked Zarna.


    "You wore a Diadem," said Advika. "Badge of royalty."


    "I think the dress, the crown, maybe even our sitting arrangement signified something," guessed Zarna


    and munched the chips.


    "Like what?" questioned Ray and put a handful of chips in his mouth.


    "Tej sat in the centre, Advika to his left, Ray to his right, me next to Advika, and Maya next to Ray,"


    borated Zarna.


    "Are we the secrets of the elements?" quizzed Ray.


    "Quite possible," said Maya.


    "Yes, because we''re learning things about the five elements. We''ll be the elements, maybe," said


    Advika. "This is insane."


    "So, what next?" said Maya.


    "That key. Ray, do you still have it?" asked Tej and turned to look at Ray.


    Ray licked his hands and wiped them on his shots. The girls made faces.


    "Ray, there''s a tissue right beside the te," said Advika. Maya giggled and nodded her head.


    "Reason no.1 of you being single," added Zarna. The girls burst into augh.


    "Very funny," said Ray and removed a key from his pocket.


    "The book should also be there," said Tej.


    "Then, are we going back to the temple?" asked Zarna.


    "It''ll be risky," said Advika.


    "But the thing is that. Do we really need to find the book of this key? What if it is a waste of time?" said


    Maya.


    "Or we might find something interesting that could help us win against our enemies," said Tej. "I agree,"


    added Advika.


    "Speaking of which, who are our enemies exactly?" wondered Zarna.


    "Azazel, maybe," said Maya.


    The lights in the room went on and off. There was a tter of ss breaking.


    "Aahh!" the girls screamed.


    ~~~~~

 Chapter 25: Into the Past

    Chapter 25: Into the Past


    Thunder rattled against the windowpane. Rain poured down covering the rugged ground with a nket


    of water. The branches of the trees bend in one direction by prevailing winds.


    The evil king set on a rally; his supporters following him. Dressed in red robes, they walked through the


    streets of the city, examining every household that came in its way. The night resembled the word


    horror.


    "Indra, go take the book to the sacred temple," said a woman holding a baby in her arms.


    Another woman came running from the kitchen and picked up the baby sleeping in the cradle. "Dai Ma,


    what about the children," she said. "I''m afraid he will-"


    "No," said Dai Ma. "If his people do not find the book here, they''ll leave."


    "Tara," said Indra as he wrapped the book in a red cloth. "Do not leave the house. I''m drawing a circle


    of protection for you and the children."


    "What if you need help?" said Tara.


    Indra kissed the forehead of the baby she was holding. "I''ll apany him," said Dai Ma. "Don''t worry,


    Tara. Just be with the kids."


    "No, Dai Ma. Stay here with Tara and the kids," insisted Indra.


    "I''m a warrior, Indra," said Tara. "I can handle this."


    Indra kissed both his children and hugged his wife. "I will see you soon, boys," he said as he gave them


    ast look and headed towards the kitchen window.


    "Tara, do not leave the house. Protect the kids, I''m with Indra," assured Dai Ma.


    "Dai Ma, if anything happens to me, please protect my kids at any cost," pleaded Tara.


    "Until myst breath," said Dai Ma and jumped out from the small kitchen window.


    ~~~~


    "Come to the temple, KH," read Maya.


    Ray examined the stone that hade along the paper. "Who would have thrown it?"


    "Let''s check the CCTV footage," suggested Tej and picked up his phone.


    "Is it connected to your phone?" asked Zarna. "Yes," answered Advika.


    Tej yed the footage which covered the entrance and fence of his house.


    "Wait, wait," said Advika and hit the rewind button.


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    "O, My God!" said Zarna and covered her mouth with her hand.


    "It''s just the stone covered with the paper breaking the ss," said Ray. "There is no one throwing it. Is


    it some spirit?" he wondered and looked at Maya.


    "The meter only detects ghosts or spirits live," she said. "It cannot tell you whether there was a spirit in


    the past."


    "But what does KH mean?" wondered Zarna.


    "Those guys, they were, Rutuja, Daksh, and Rishi," said Maya. "And they probably are still stuck


    somewhere otherwise we would have faced another attack by now."


    "What if this is a trap?" quizzed Ray. "Quite possible," added Tej.


    "What''s the matter? Adu?" said Zarna.


    Advika touched the paper and examined the writing on it.


    "You see this paper, and this writing," she began. "This paper seems to be a century old. And this


    writing, it''s ink. Who uses ink nowadays?"


    "But this can be trick by those three," said Maya.


    "Should we go to the temple or not, then?" questioned Zarna.


    "But it doesn''t tell the time. It''s juste to the temple," remarked Ray.


    "Exactly, we can''t go in the daylight because it''s not allowed," said Advika.


    "How can they treat a temple like personal property?" wondered Zarna.


    "If it holds so many secrets, they have to," added Maya.


    "I think we should go," suggested Tej.


    ~~~~


    Daksh wiped his tears and put a photo frame back in his backpack. Rutuja knocked on the door.


    "Master Indra is waiting," she said.


    Daksh carried the overstuffed backpack on his back and followed her to the living room.


    Rishi staggered and sat on the chair.


    "Children, we are going back to Indra Nagri," said Dai Ma as she handed over a red thread to each one


    of them.


    "Why?" asked Daksh and Rishi at once.


    "Because that''s the safest ce," said Indra as he helped Rishi get to his feet.


    "Safe ce? Mom and Danj were"


    "I know," said Indra. "You don''t need to remind me."


    "On the count of three," said Dai Ma.


    They closed their eyes, holding onto their backpacks.


    "One, two, three," said Dai Ma.


    And on the count of three. The group disappeared into thin air.


    ~~~~

 Chapter 26: Tejs Dilemma

    Chapter 26: Tej''s Dilemma


    Advika could smell the metallic tang from stainless steel in the open air. Ray''s gaze swivelled over the


    waiting room, looking for a ce for him and Tej to sit. The hospital rooms were noisy and distracting,


    with doctors and nurses running errands.


    The door of the operation theatre opened. Tej rushed towards the doctors stepping out of the room.


    Ray followed.


    "How''s Uncle now?" asked Ray.


    "I can say he is out of danger now," replied Dr Sheena Dixit, the senior surgeon of The PrimeLife


    Hospital.


    Tej let out a sigh.


    "But, we have to keep him under observation for a few days," she added and kept her hand on Tej''s


    shoulder. "Your dad will be fine soon."


    Tej nodded as the doctor left to visit the other patients.


    "Tej," said Advka. "Uncle''s phone."


    "Hello," said Tej.


    "Tej, how is Mr Patel doing?" said the person on the other end.


    "He''s out of danger," answered Tej.


    "Swarna ma''am was not answering calls, so I had to call on Sir''s number," said the person.


    "Is it something urgent, Mr Taneja?" asked Tej.


    "You need toe to the office immediately," said Mr Taneja. "It''s important, cannot be dyed."


    "Is everything fine?" asked Tej.


    "Pleasee to the office. I''ll tell you everything," said Taneja.


    "I''ll be there," said Tej and cut the call.


    "Zarna''s dad is on his way to your office," said Ray. "There are some legalities that need attention. But


    uncle Zavier is there with you he''ll handle everything. We''re here with Uncle, you visit the office and


    "Maya and Zarna are there with aunty," said Advika. "Doctor''s have given her injection, she''s sleeping,


    but she''ll be fine," said Advika.


    Tej looked to the ground and nodded his head.


    "I''ll be right back," he said and slowly walked towards the exit.


    ~~~~


    Daksh, Indra, and Rishi stood in front of a broken hut.


    Daksh fought tears as Dai Ma pushed open the door covered with moss and spider webs.


    Rutuja stepped inside with five backpacks. She snapped her fingers. One by one, the bags began to


    move towards the wall of the room, arranging themselves in a straight line.


    The living room decked up with old-fashioned wooden furniture. Arge bookshelf ced opposite the


    sofa set.


    "Reminds me of the academy," said Rishi. "Looked small from the outside, but spacious inside."


    "Rutuja," said Dai Ma as she helped Rishi sit on thefortable leather sofa. "Check all the rooms.


    Make sure they''re tidy."


    "Yes, Dai Ma," she said and went on to inspect all the six rooms of the house.


    "I''ve destroyed all out traces, Indra," said Dai Ma and poured some water in a ss. "His men won''t be


    able to follow us."


    "I''m worried about the temple," said Indra as he sunk in the armchair.


    "Nobody knows about its secrets," said Dai Ma and gulped down the water.


    Daksh and Rishi exchanged a nce.


    "And if anyone tries to invade, we have the protector, and the King," assured Dai Ma.


    "And boys," said Indra. "No sneaking out anywhere."


    "Dai Ma," said Rutuja entering the living room. "All the rooms are ready," she said.


    "You''re the in charge, Rutuja," said Indra. "Do not let these boys step out of Indra Nagri."


    Rutuja nodded her head and looked at the boys. I hope I can handle them, she thought.


    ~~~~~


    "I don''t know how this works," said Tej as he closed a file.


    "Son, this is your dad''s decision," said an elderly looking man wearing a white shirt and ck trousers.


    Taneja pulled a chair and sat beside Tej who sat on the centre chair in the huge meeting room. "We


    know Tej," began Taneja. "We''ve been working with your dad for the past ten years now. We know you


    never intended to join the family business, but, with both your parents injured, you need to take up this


    responsibility."


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    The whiteboard fixated on the wall reflected Tej''s state of mind. He was nk. A single incident had


    changed everything.


    "I don''t want to hamper their reputation, Uncle,''" he said and looked at Zavier, Zarna''s dad, who


    happened to be the financial advisor andwyer of thepany.


    "We are there with you," said Zavier.


    "Tej, we will support you, but in the absence of your parents, you are supposed to take over," added


    Taneja. "They haven''t appointed anyone else."


    Tej took a deep breath. "I can''t make this decision on my own. I need to talk to mom," he said.


    "Okay, you have until tomorrow," said Zavier. "The legalities need to bepleted by then."


    "Legalities?" asked Tej.


    "Tej," began Taneja. "Thepany is going through a financial crisis as of now."


    Tej sunk lower in his chair and ran his fingers through his messy hair.


    "Arvind sir and Swarma ma''am had forbidden this news to go out of the senior management of the


    "Your father, Arvind, was handling everything well, but," said Zavier and removed his round spectacles.


    "The Patni group, due to some personal reasons, snatched a million dor deal from us."


    "We had invested almost everything in that deal, Tej," said Taneja.


    "So, what can I do?" asked Tej as a peon entered the meeting room with a cup of coffee in his hands.


    Zavier offered the ss to Tej as the peon left.


    Tej gulped down the coffee and shut his eyes.


    "Tej, you might not be knowing anything about this business, but you can learn, you have the potential,"


    said Taneja.


    "I''m here to help you and thepany with legal issues, but, you have to take over and handle this


    situation," said Zavier and kept his hand on Tej''s shoulder.


    Tej let out a sigh and put his head back closing his eyes. He could feel the pain in his neck and his


    muscles straining.


    "Now that you know the situation," said Zavier. "Think about it. Talk to Swarna and tell us tomorrow."


    ~~~~~

 Chapter 27: The Masked Man

    Chapter 27: The Masked Man


    "How did it happen?" Ray almost screamed.


    Advika sat beside Swarna, whoy unconscious on the hospital bed. A tear escaped from her eye.


    Zarna closed the door of the spacious hospital room after the nurse and doctor had left to prepare the


    ICU.


    "She was recovering, but then," said Maya. "Just in a second, we didn''t understand, neither did the


    doctors."


    "How''s Arvind uncle?" asked Zarna and sat at the foot of the bed gazing at her favourite aunt.


    "Not doing well either," said Ray.


    Advika wiped her tears. "We talked to Dr Dixit after Tej left for the office," she said. "Arvind uncle is


    serious."


    "But she-" said Maya.


    "Yes, she had said that tofort Tej," rified Ray.


    "About the office," said Zarna. "Dad said that thepany is going through some serious shit."


    Ray, Maya, and Advika looked at her.


    "Okay, he didn''t say the word shit, but thepany is going through some major financial crisis," said


    Zarna.


    "Tej doesn''t know a thing about the word business," said Advika.


    "This is tough," said Ray.


    "So are we," added Maya. "We''ll be his strength. He''s not alone."


    ~~~~~


    "Rio!" chirped Daksh and ran towards a galloping horse in the shed. He hugged him and patted his


    back, smiling ear to ear.


    Rutuja came running from the hut and stood in front of the horse. "Rio," she said and smiled at Daksh.


    "How did he get here?" wondered Daksh.


    "I don''t know," said Rutuja. "Master Indra might have got him here."


    She took a step forward towards the horse and touched his muzzle. Rio moved his hoof back and forth.


    Rio''s chestnut skin shone in the sunlight. His ck eyes watching Daksh as he mounted on his back.


    Rishi looked at Daksh sitting on the horse from the small window of the hut. He smiled and wiped the


    tear that slid from his eye.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    "You know," said Daksh, teary-eyed, smiling. "Dad used to take us for horse riding. Me and Danj, when


    we were five."


    Rutuja looked at him. She knew he wasn''t the bad boy he pretended he is.


    "Come," said Daksh and extended his hand towards her.


    "Are you sure?" she asked and took a step towards him. Rio shook his head and galloped. "Why?"


    asked Daksh.


    "I remember you pushing me off Rio because you didn''t want anybody else riding him," said Rutuja and


    crossed her arms.


    Daksh smiled and nodded his head. "That was in the childhood, Ru," he said. "Things have changed."


    "Yes, they have," murmured Rishi and staggered back to his room.


    Rutuja ced her foot on the stirrup and mounted on Rio''s back, sitting behind Daksh. He held the


    reins and directed Rio towards thend opposite the hut.


    ~~~~


    Tej kept his head near his mother''s feet. Tears welled from deep inside and coursed down his cheeks.


    Advika''s heart sank as she saw her beloved friend cry.


    "How did all this happen?" whispered Maya.


    "ident," that was all that escaped from Tej''s mouth.


    "The police suspects something," added Ray and kept his hand on Tej''s shoulder.


    "As in?" said Maya.


    "It looks like someone had nned this ident," said Zarna. "Dad said that the police asked the


    eyewitnesses and they said that a truck driver purposely hit them."


    "The police will do their work, Tej," said Advika. "How much ever tough it sounds, but, you need to look


    after the business."


    Tej lifted his head and looked at Advika. His face was expressionless.


    "She''s right," added Zarna.


    "Tej," said Advika and sat next to him. "When uncle and aunt recover, they don''t want to see their hard


    work, their business ruined."


    "It''s okay if you don''t know how things work," added Zarna. "Dad''s there to help you legally. Mr Taneja


    is also there."


    "At least just start," said Advika. "Nobody knows whether they''ll seed or fail before actually trying."


    "It''s getting dark," said Ray. Tej nced at the clock hung on the wall.


    9:00 p.m., it said.


    "You guys should leave," said Tej and wiped his tears. "You should go home, Tej," said Ray.


    "No, I''ll wait here," said Tej and touched his mother''s feet.


    "Tej," said Advika. "You need to go to the office tomorrow. You need to rest."


    "Exactly," added Ray. "I''m going to wait here, you guys are heading home."


    ~~~~


    The pale crescent moon shone like a silvery w in the night sky. The air ice cold.


    "They should have been dead," said a masked man and threw another man on the rugged ground.


    Blood oozed from his forehead.


    "I had hit them with full force," defended the man trying to get to his feet.


    The masked man kept his foot and the victim''s head and pushed him to the ground.


    "You have failed me," he said; his voice firm. He kept his gloved hands on the victim''s forehead and


    closed his eyes.


    The victim''s body went stiff, he screamed internally as the light began to leave his body gradually. A


    burning sensation ran through every cell of his body. His face began to disfigure. A dull sciatic ache


    had settled into his legs.


    The masked man pulled up his hoodie and walked away from the dead body.


    ~~~~~~

 Chapter 28: A New Beginning

    Chapter 28: A New Beginning


    "Okay," said Tej as he closed a file. "I''ll talk to the clients," he assured, adjusting his tie.


    "Excuse me, gentlemen. I''ll see you in a bit," he said and left the conference room, heading towards


    the washroom.


    He let out a sigh and looked at his reflection in the mirror.


    White formal shirt, ck trousers, ck zer, and a ck-tie.


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    "You look dapper," said a voice which made Tej swivel.


    "You? What are you doing here? Who''s with dad?" he questioned.


    "Rx, bro," said Ray and hugged Tej. Tej dropped his shoulders and closed his eyes, hugging his best


    friend.


    "Advika''s near uncle," he said. "Your aunt had called."


    "And?" said Tej.


    "She said she wille here and handle-"


    "All bullshit," spat Tej. "She just wants dad''s property."


    "Forget all that," said Ray and removed a locket from his pocket. "Advika went to this temple on the


    outskirts of the city."


    A shiny gold rudraksha dangled on the delicate silver chain.


    Tej smiled and wore it around his neck.


    "Ohhhhh," teased Ray and yfully punched Tej''s arm. "You don''t believe in such stuff, but now, as


    Advika has sent it."


    Tej smiled. "Once everything is fine, I''ll confess my love to her."


    ~~~~~~~


    Rishi sat on his bed, staring into the sky.


    "Rishi," said Rutuja as she entered his room. "Daksh and I are going for-"


    Rishi wiped his tears and painted a smile on his face.


    Rutuja sat at the foot of the bed. "Missing your parents?" she asked and kept her hand on his hand.


    Rishi nodded his head. "I miss my parents too," said Rutuja and pursed her lips.


    "Where are you both going?" asked Rishi.


    "Just roaming, with Rio," she said. "You haven''t met Rio, right? Rio, the horse."


    "No, I''m good," he replied and shifted towards the other side of the bed.


    "Rishi," said Rutuja and got to her feet. "Step out, you''ll feel better."


    "I''lle by myself if I feel like," said Rishi and hugged the pillow.


    "Okay," said Rutuja and left him alone with his thoughts.


    ~~~~~~~~~


    "How can you be so sure about it?" asked Zarna as she drew the curtains of the hospital room. The


    sunlight flowed in the room, falling on Swarna''s face.


    Maya nced at Swarna and removed a small device from her pocket. "The meter," she said.


    "Should we tell this to Tej?" asked Zarna and tied her hair into a bun.


    "No," replied Maya. "He''s already got so many things going on. But we''ll tell Ray and Advika, I''ll call


    them."


    ~~~~~~~~~


    His ck robe swept the ground as he marched towards the rock throne ced against the wall of the


    dungeon. He was weed by the smell of alcohol and gush of excitement.


    Men and women dressed in red robes sat on their knees as the masked man bowed before an elderly


    man sitting on the throne.


    "My dear son," said Azazel and smiled as he got up from his throne. "Wee, wee home."


    The masked man smiled removing the ck mask he wore. His fair skin, developed calf muscles, thick


    eyebrows, high cheekbones, and tensed arms attracted the attention of all the women present in the


    dungeon.


    His blue eyes glistened as Azazel stepped down from the throne and motioned him to sit in his ce.


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


    "Long live the Prince! Long live the Prince! Long live the Prince!"


    Echoed the entire dungeon as he sat on the throne.


    Azazel closed his eyes; a bejewelled crown appeared on the Prince''s head, which he adjusted with a


    bright smile on his face.


    ~~~~~~


    "Hey, bro," said Ray as Tej, who was dressed in formals, stepped inside the hospital room. His gaze


    fixed on his mom.


    Advika looked at him and noticed his swollen eyes.


    Without uttering a word, he sat next to his mom and held her hand.


    "How are things at work going?" asked Advika. Tej nodded his head. "Lost the potential clients," he


    uttered. Advika had to strain her ears to understand what he was speaking.


    "This is the reason I never wanted to enter the business, it''s not my cup of tea," he added.


    "Nobody seeds in the first attempt, stop being so hard on yourself," she said.


    "How did you manage to run your business, Advika?" asked Tej and looked at her.


    Advika slightly smiled at him. "Tej," she started. "It''s a small business, it''s not a hugepany like


    yours, there''s a big difference."


    "But still," he insisted.


    "I have failed n number of times, Tej," she replied. "I was going to give up, but then, that''s what I


    wanted. I wanted to own a business. It''s different in your case."


    "And if you think I''m making profits, then no, you''re wrong," she added. "You don''t always get clients.


    Failure is inevitable, Tej. But getting up and facing challenges is a must."


    "I wish I had half the determination you had," he said.


    "You have a lot of determination, Tej. It''s just not for the business," she rified.


    "Tej," said Zarna as she entered the room. "It''s dad," she said handing him her phone.


    ~~~~~~~


    "Rishi!" called Rutuja as she scanned his bedroom, living area, and the entire house.


    "What happened Ru?" asked Daksh.


    "Rishi," she said as she tied her hair into a bun. "He''s not there in the house."


    "Rx," said Daksh. "He''s not a kid."


    "He''s injured, Daksh. He can''t walk properly," she said and touched her head closing her eyes.


    "Okay, okay," said Daksh and fetched some water for her.


    "We''ll find him before Dad and Dai Ma returns," he assured.


    "Find whom?" said a voice.


    "There he is," said Daksh as Rishi rubbed his eyes and ran his fingers through his messy hair.


    Rutuja stared at him. "Where were you?"


    "In my bedroom," he said and yawned. "Why?"


    "No, no, you weren''t there a few minutes ago," said Rutuja and took a step towards him. "I searched


    the whole house twice."


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about, Ru," said Rishi and kept his hand on her shoulder, almost


    leaning on her.


    "Rishi," said Rutuja as Daksh stepped forward to keep him from falling.


    "Sit," said Daksh as Rutuja adjusted the cushion on the sofa.


    "Ru, he can''t even stand," said Daksh. "How will he step out of the house?"


    "Exactly," said Rishi dryly.


    Rutuja switched her nce between Rishi and Daksh, clearly not convinced. She nodded her head.


    "Fine," she muttered and marched towards her room.


    ~~~~~~~


    "This is serious," said Ray as he handed Advika her favourite iced coffee.


    "I brought two more lockets from Guru Ma for Uncle and Aunt," said Advika and sipped the coffee.


    "I drew a protection circle around Tej''s house," said Maya and rested her head against the pillow.


    "Do you guys think that those three are involved in this ident?" asked Zarna and sat on the chair.


    They all had gathered at Ray''s house.


    "I don''t think so," said Advika.


    "Why?" asked Maya.


    "That girl, Rutuja, she''s too noble to attack from behind like that," she replied. "Last time, they came


    home and attacked us."


    "I agree," said Zarna. "Those guys don''t seem to be that type you know."


    "But they failed," opposed Maya. "Maybe that''s why they choose to attack Tej''s parents."


    "Well," Ray hopped in. "We''ll find that sooner orter. But what about our mission now?"


    "Our priority is Tej," said Advika. "Once his parents are fine, we''ll resume our mission."


    "I agree," said Maya. "We''ll find the attacker soon."


    ~~~~~~~


    Tej stood at the terrace of his office and saw some of his employees smoke.


    "Hey," he heard a familiar voice say.


    He smiled at her as she stood next to him and followed his gaze.


    "You know," began Advika. "At my office, even Interns join the seniors for this smoke break. They say it


    helps them deal with stress."


    "I wonder how?" said Tej and turned to look at her.


    "Don''t you ever get into all these bad habits, Tej," she said and put her hair behind her ear as the air


    blew them on her face.


    Tej slightly smiled. "Never," he assured.


    "Aunt is fine," she said and held his hand. "Doctor''s said we can take her home tomorrow."


    Tej smiled and removed his phone from his pocket.


    "No, no," said Advika. "She can''t talk on the phone. It''s not advisable. But you can meet her tomorrow


    after you meet with the International clients."


    "We''re going to have a zoom meeting," he said and looked down to the ground.


    "Did you go through the presentation? The requirements? Yourpany''s stats? Theirpany''s


    requirements?" she showered him with questions.


    He nodded and felt his throat go dry.


    "Here," she said and removed a small water bottle from her sack. "Have some water."


    Tej gulped it down and took a deep breath.


    "Tej, the result is not in your hands, but trying is," she said. "Just be honest, clear, and don''t sound like


    you need them, or this is your only chance. They don''t need to know about the crisis you''re going


    through."


    "I''ve already lost a few potential clients, Advika," he said and gazed at the sky.


    "Tej, you''re new here," she consoled. "It will take time plus, Aunt is just recovering, you cannot expect


    her to be here with you. She can be your advisor, but, it''s not good to put that kind of pressure on her."


    "I will give it my best," said Tej.


    "All the best," she said and hugged him. "I know you will get this deal."


    He closed his eyes and hugged her back.


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Chapter 29: Revealing some secrets

    Chapter 29: Revealing some secrets


    Ray hit the break as they arrived at a bungalow. ''Patel House'', read the fancy namete.


    Advika, Zarna, and Maya stepped out of the car. "I''ll pick Tej ande, till then you can do the


    investigations," he said and took a U-turn.


    Maya strolled across the parking and sat down to have a look at the ground.


    "What does it mean?" wondered Zarna and sat next to Maya.


    Maya took some of the ck ash lying on the ground in her hands and brought it near her nose closing


    her eyes.


    "Negativity and evil powers," concluded Maya.


    "The white powder changes color when ites in contact with negative energies," rified Advika.


    "It means that someone, some intruder, with bad intentions had been here," added Maya.


    "Let''s collect it before Tejes," said Advika and removed a small ss bottle from her pocket. Maya


    followed.


    Zarna folded her arms and tilted her head looking at her friends. "Do you guys like always roam around


    with such stuff?" she wondered.


    Maya smiled and looked at Zarna. "You always got to be equipped when you are on such a mission."


    ~~~~~


    Something is not right, thought Rutuja as she observed Rishi who was ying with Rio in the backyard.


    Daksh walked up to Rishi and extended his hand. Rishi smiled and took his hand, getting to his feet.


    Daksh looked at Rio and patted his back. "Rio never liked anyone, except me, Danj, and-"


    "And?" asked Rishi grabbing a stick for support.


    "Devansh," said Indra as he appeared in front of the boys.


    Rutuja rushed downstairs and towards the backyard as Dai Ma appeared with a barrel in her hands.


    Dai Ma ced and barrel on the ground and tapped it twice with her fingers.


    The barrel lifted itself in the air, making its way towards the kitchen window.


    "Who is Devansh?" asked Rishi. Rutuja looked at Daksh and raised her eyebrows.


    "Dad," said Daksh and nodded his head.


    "Well, doesn''t give me pleasure talking about it too, Daksh," said Indra and looked at the sky.


    "Daksh had a twin brother, Danj," revealed Indra. "And, an elder brother nobody knew of."


    Rutuja looked at Daksh as he closed his eyes taking a long breath.


    "I''m telling you so that our enemies don''t tell you otherwise," said Indra and turned to look at Rishi and


    Rutuja.


    "Devansh was our eldest son," he began.


    "Was?" said Rutuja, confused.


    "Azazel killed him," said Dai Ma.


    Daksh clenched his fists and began walking towards the house.


    "Dak-" said Rutuja and watched him m the door behind him.


    "Why?" asked Rishi as Rio took a step towards him, nuzzling his elbow.


    "Devansh was the protector of the book," revealed Indra. "He gave his life protecting it."


    "And Danj?" asked Rishi patting Rio''s back.


    "Danj was killed by Azazel''s men on that ck night," said Dai Ma. "Tara could only save one."


    "I couldn''t save my sons, but I will protect you all till thest breath of my life. I cannot lose anyone


    now," said Indra fighting back tears.


    "So much for just a book?" wondered Rishi.


    "It isn''t just a book," began Indra. "Besides, if that book falls into wrong hands, or at that time when it


    was weak-"


    "Weak?" questioned Rutuja.


    "Azazel''s power were at their peak back then," answered Indra. "The Kings and Queens had just made


    the book-"


    "The book was made?" "Kings and Queens?" "Who are these Kings and Queens?"


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    Indra was showered with questions from Rishi and Rutuja.


    ~~~~~~~


    There was a loud crack and a strong smell of burnt ash and alcohol filled the air as they broke into a


    small hut.


    "I''m feeling nauseous," said Zarna and covered her mouth with her handkerchief.


    "I''m having a bad feeling about this ce already," said Advika as she removed the spider webs


    hanging from the low roof.


    Maya shut the door behind them and switched on the torch. It was pitch dark.


    The hut had rough stone walls, torn ckened red carpet, and ash lying all over the floor.


    "Don''t," warned Advika as she held her phone''s shlight up at Zarna who was going to touch the


    chairs.


    "Don''t touch anything," she said.


    "Aren''t we here to inspect?" questioned Zarna and kept her phone back in her pocket.


    "Wear the gloves," said Maya and walked towards a portrait hanging on the wall. She removed it from


    the wall and dusted it.


    Advika coughed.


    "Is this hut suppose to be theirs?" asked Zarna as they observed the three women in the painting.


    They looked elegant wearing long dreamy gowns. One of them holding a cup of tea, the other a bottle


    of wine, and the third knitting something. They were seated in a lush green garden. The sky was pink.


    "Why isn''t she drinking something?" asked Zarna. "How is the sky pink?"


    "It''s one of these women," said Maya.


    "But how do we know which one?" wondered Advika.


    "Let''s look around for more clues," said Zarna and headed in the opposite direction.


    Maya hung the portrait back on the wall and lowered her torch to examine the floor.


    "ck ash," she pointed.


    "Does it mean that these are bad witches?" quizzed Zarna.


    "Not necessarily," said Maya.


    "Empty bottles of alcohol," said Advika as she scrutinised the small table and three chairs surrounding


    it.


    Zarna stood in front of a wardrobe kept in the corner of the hut. The doorknob was somewhat shaped


    like a sword.


    "Should I?" she questioned and looked at her friends.


    "Carefully," said Advika and took a step towards her. She could feel her heart pound and head spin a


    little.


    Maya checked the meter. "Negative," she said.


    Zarna held her breath and kept her hand on the knob.


    "Careful," said Advika and removed a locket from her jeans. Maya produced a small ss bottle from


    her sling bag.


    Zarna turned the knob, the wardrobe was empty. She heaved a sigh and turned to face her friends. As


    she stood with her back towards the open cupboard, she felt a tingling sensation running through her


    back. The air around the nape of her neck grew colder.


    She sensed the danger and lifted her left foot to move away from it. Just then she was pulled in by her


    waist.


    "Zarnaa!!" screamed the girls.


    "It won''t open," said Advika as she tried to turn the knob. "Zarna?"


    Maya mmed the door. "Zarna!"


    ~~~~~~~~~~~


    "There were three kings and three queens," said Indra as Rutuja kept the tray on the ground. It had five


    sses filled with lime juice. She took two sses, offered one to Rishi, and sat beneath a huge tree


    next to him.


    Daksh sat a little far from them, under the tree opposite Rishi and Rutuja.


    Dai Ma sat on the small cot they had kept outside the house. Indra sat beside her on an easy chair.


    They all were seated in a circle, facing each other.


    "King Agneya, his wife Queen Bhngana. King Bhaumik and his wife Queen Ambar. King Samir and


    his wife Agrata," began Indra. "What can you make out of these names?"


    "Agneya means fire, Bhngana means river Ganga, so water, Bhaumik means Earth, Ambar is the


    sky, Samir is air, and Agrata means leadership," said Rutuja and sipped the lime juice.


    "Excellent," said Indra. Rutuja smiled.


    "These Kings and Queens each held the power of an element, as per their names," revealed Indra.


    "And Queen Agrata, as her name suggests, was the leader of all. If was going good, until, Azazel


    arrived."


    "Did he attack these kings and queens? Is he like, that old? I mean centuries old?" asked Rishi and


    wiped the sweat off his forehead. The sun was overhead.


    "Azazel had stopped ageing after he achieved some extraordinary powers after years of practising


    sorcery, unfortunately, he used it in the wrong way," answered Indra.


    "So he did attack the queens and kings?" asked Rutuja.


    "Yes," replied Indra. "They knew Azazel was nearly invincible. To protect their powers, they decided to


    keep it in a ce where it could not be found. So they summoned Grantha, the guide, and transferred


    all their knowledge into her. Grantha had the power to transform herself into anything she desired. So


    she transformed into a book and skulked,nding on Earth, where our ancestors were given the


    responsibility to protect the book, by the kings and queens."


    ~~~~~

 Chapter 30: The Past Battle

    Chapter 30: The Past Battle


    "Then what did the kings and queens do?" quizzed Rishi.


    "They battled him, against his enormous army of pure evil," revealed Indra.


    "And lost?" asked Rutuja.


    "Not really," said Indra. "Yes, they lost their lives but only after sessfully destroying almost all his


    army. They just couldn''t destroy him."


    "Destroy?" said Rishi. "You mean to kill?"


    "No, I mean to destroy," said Indra.


    Rutuja and Rishi exchanged a confused nce.


    Daksh, on the other hand, was now almost lying on the grass, closing his eyes, taking deep breaths,


    somehow not bothered about the story his father was telling.


    "Azazel is dead, technically, so you can''t destroy him," revealed Indra and looked at Dai Ma.


    "What do you mean?" asked Rutuja and straightened her back.


    "He did die in the battle against the kings and queens, but they did not kill him," said Dai Ma. "Nobody


    knows how he died, but, he resurrected, nobody knows how."


    "I don''t get it," said Rishi. "We all are protecting a self-sufficient book. I mean it has the powers of all


    kings and queens."


    "Exactly, son," said Indra.


    Daksh opened his eyes to look at his father and then shifted his gaze to Rishi who was somewhat


    smiling. He rolled his eyes and sat up straight, stretching his arms and turning his neck from the right to


    the left.


    Rutuja looked at him and gave him a ''were you actually sleeping?'' look.


    "The powers in the book can be earned," said Indra. "Either if the book chooses you, or, forcefully,


    that''s what we expect Azazel to do."


    "Forcefully," Daksh finally spoke. "How? Dad."


    Rutuja could not understand the need for Daksh stressing on thest word.


    "Azazel holds some exceptional powers which we aren''t aware of, yet," replied Indra. "If he gets his


    hands on the book, he can bewitch it, control Grantha, and snatch those powers, or worse, make her


    his ve."


    ~~~~~~~


    "On the count of three," said Maya as she moved her hands in a circr motion, as though making a


    ball. "One, two, three!"


    Advika stomped her foot on the ground closing her eyes; Maya threw the invisible ball of energy


    towards the cupboard.


    BANG!


    There was a loud crack and lightning. The hut was filled with a deafening sound, a blinding light, and


    dust.


    Advika coughed and sat on her knees keeping her hand on her chest.


    "Advika! Are you fine?" said Maya. The dust blocking her vision. She waved it off and took a few steps


    towards the cupboard which was now split in half.


    "Zarna!" she screamed and picked her up in her arms. "Advika, where are you?"


    She put her down on the floor and removed a small water bottle from her bag. She sprinkled some


    water on Zarna''s face. "Zarna, please open your eyes," said Maya patting her cheeks.


    Zarna''s face looked lifeless, her hair and clothes all covered with mud.


    Maya removed yet another small ss veil from her bag and filled her hand with the transparent liquid.


    "Let the past be the present. Let time heal all wounds. Let all the harm be undone. With the power of


    the water, so mote it be!"


    Zarna opened her eyes as a few drops of the liquid fell on her face. She took a few deep breaths,


    looking around, her eyes searching for her friends. She could see two outlines hovering over her face.


    "Maya, we need to get out of here asap," said Advika and helped Zarna get on her feet.


    ~~~~~


    "So now?" asked Rutuja.


    "Our next step will be building an army," said Dai Ma.


    "Wait! What?" said Daksh. "Who will join us? Nobody dares to stand against him."


    "That''s why we are here," said Indra. "Near our people, near the people who were and will remain on


    our side."


    "I do not see anybody here," said Daksh.


    "Is... is there anybody else living with us here?" asked Rishi. Rutuja looked around and then nced at


    Indra.


    Indra looked at Dai Ma and nodded his head.


    Dai Ma closed her eyes and pped thrice.


    "Ouch!" said Rishi and got up dusting his jeans. Rutuja followed.


    "What!?" Daksh mouthed.


    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


    Ant-like small creatures materialized in front of them. "Antis," murmured Rutuja.


    Rishi saw thatched roofs appearing mid-air, followed by walls and doors. A group of children was


    ying hide and seek in the yard. Men and women busy doing their daily chores.


    Daksh''s eyes fell on an elderly person resting outside his house, lighting a cigar and staring into the


    sky. "Can''t be," he said.


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    It seemed like they were always there, just hidden.


    ~~~~~~


    "Thank you, girls," said Ray closing his eyes. "One more mishap was exactly what we wanted."


    Tej sat beside Zarna, staring at her nkly.


    Maya''s house was a one-storied building coveringrge space. There was a small garden in front of


    the house with various flowers and fruit nts. The small swimming pool beside it had increased the


    beauty of the house.


    Maya had a balcony attached to her bedroom where Advika was now sitting facing her friends. There


    was an unusuallyrge mirror in her bedroom, covered with a white cloth. Her wardrobe ced to the


    left of her bed where Zarna was fast asleep.


    Advika walked in, her eyes glued to the ground. She sat on an easy chair kept near the bed.


    "Why?" said Ray turning to face the girls.


    "Ray, we were just trying to speed things up, plus-"


    "Do you mean speed injuries?" Ray interrupted Maya mid-sentence.


    "Ray, we didn''t know it would be that bad. We suspected ck magic, that''s all," said Advika and


    nced at Tej.


    "She''ll be fine," said Maya and sat near Zarna.


    "What did you tell her parents?" asked Tej, finally speaking.


    Maya looked at Advika and pursed her lips. "I talked to them as Zarna and said I was with Jiya,


    "Jiya? Her best friend?" quizzed Tej. Advika nodded her head. "I told Jiya that I, I mean Zarna is out


    with us, partying, her parents won''t allow an all."


    "You tricked her too?" asked Tej. Advika sighed and nodded her head. "I had no other option." "And


    they believed you!?" wondered Ray.


    "Of course Ray, that''s her speciality, she can sound like any one of us, with the help of some kind of


    software she built," added Maya.


    Zarna woke up with a start and looked around. Everything was blur initially, she could see outlines of


    figures. She could hear them take her name.


    Maya rushed to the bathroom and brought back arge wooden round bowl filled with water. Advika


    kept a small board on the bed next to Zarna. Maya ced the bowl on it.


    "Zarna put your head in it," she said. Zarna blinked several times; her head spinning.


    "I don''t think she can hear us properly," said Advika and looked at Maya. "Do it."


    Maya gathered Zarna''s hair and tied it into a bun.


    "Why would you immerse her head in-"


    Tej opened his mouth to say something but then stopped as Zarna lifted her head from the bowl,


    panting.


    Advika handed her a towel and rushed to fetch some water.


    "Zarna," said Maya. "Are you fine?"


    Zarna nodded her head and let out a sigh. She looked around slowly taking in the interiors, colours,


    and surrounding. It didn''t seem familiar. Her eyes fell on something that was covered with a white cloth.


    "Here," said Advika as she handed her a ss of water. Zarna gulped it down in a breath and stretched


    her neck and hands. All eyes were glued to her, eagerly waiting for her to speak.


    ~~~~~~~


    To be continued...

 Chapter 31: The Charm

    Chapter 31: The Charm


    "The cupboard," she murmured. "There was a woman who pulled me in. She was. . . I could not see


    her face, was too scared."


    "It''s okay, Zarna, just rx," said Tej. "We''ll talk about thister."


    "And girls," began Ray. "Don''t go anywhere alone. We''ll continue with the mission once everything is


    back to normal. Until then, I dere the mission is on pause mode."


    "I''ll have to leave," said Tej and adjusted his tie. "Have a meeting."


    "I''ll leave too," said Ray. "Advika, youing?" he said in a t tone.


    "Ah," said Advika. "You go ahead. I have to run errands and pick some medicines on the way back


    home."


    "You mean, Tej''s home right?" quizzed Ray.


    "Yes," said Advika and nodded her head. "Aunt will be up by now."


    "Zarna," Tej turned to look at her. "Take care and don''t go looking for the woman now."


    Ray kept his hand on Tej''s shoulder and looked at Zarna. "Take care, Zarna," he said.


    Zarna nodded her head and smiled.


    ~~~~~~


    "This is amazing," said Rutuja and slightly smiled. She walked up to Indra and Dai Ma. "Do you think I


    can learn this skill?"


    The boys turned to look at her.


    "One can learn anything if determined," replied Indra and patted her head smiling.Rutuja swivelled and


    observed the children. Some were ying hide and seek, some ying with a ball, while the other


    toddlers watched them y sitting on their mother''sp.


    "Can they see us?" quizzed Rishi.


    Rutuja nced at him and then at the Antis. She sat down on the ground and kept a finger in their


    way. The Antis took another route, avoiding any contact with her finger.


    "Only the Antis and other creatures can," answered Indra. "Not the people."


    "I don''t understand," said Rishi and looked to and fro from Indra to the people and back to Indra.


    "That is how the charm works," said Dai Ma as she took the support of the stick to get to her feet. "You,


    the one who uses it, the master decides how it works."


    "Is it a specific spell?" asked Daksh.


    "Yes," replied Dai Ma. "The spell needs to be earned. You have to solve the riddle given in the book


    ''The Elements''."


    "Where do we- The ancient library, second floor," said Rishi. "Is the book there?"


    "Can''t tell you that, rules," was all Dai Ma said before turning on her heels and strolling to the hut. Indra


    followed.


    "Something tells me we need to escape again," whispered Rishi. Rutuja red at him and opened her


    mouth to speak.


    "Never in my life did I think that I''d agree with you," said Daksh and nced at Rishi and then at the


    sky.


    "No. We are not going anywhere,"manded Rutuja and crossed her arms.


    "C''mon, Ru," insisted Rishi. "No, absolutely not," said Rutuja and started marching towards the hut but


    stopped all of a sudden. She turned and crossed her arms again. "If I find you boys doing anything that


    is against the rules you''ll be in danger."


    ~~~~~~


    Maya handed a cup of coffee to Advika and pulled a small stool. "Thanks," whispered Advika and


    leaned on the bar of the balcony firmly holding the cup.


    It was awkward for Advika to be alone with Maya as she was her least favourite person in the group.


    Maya felt the same.


    "Ahem, hmm," Maya cleared her throat. "You thinking what I''m thinking?"


    Advika nced at her and then at Zarna, who was fast asleep.


    "Yes," she said and turned to face Maya. "I know this might be wrong, but we can''t let those three win."


    "Never thought I''d agree with you," said Maya and crossed her legs.


    "So, what do we do?" asked Advika and sipped the coffee.


    "I think we''ll go to the library and that hut whenever we can," said Maya and got to her feet rubbing her


    palms. She leaned on the bar putting her weight on it.


    "Okay," said Advika. "We''ll decide a time and. . ."


    Maya shot her a questioning look.


    "I was thinking. . . we should probably go to the temple too," she added.


    "Now who''s breaking rules," said Maya. "Anyway, I agree. We will."


    ~~~~~


    The dungeon was slightly less gloomy than the weather outside. Most of the light wasing from a


    Daksh bowed down in front of Azazel, who was sitting on his throne with his eyes closed.


    "Where have you been?" asked Azazel almost in a whisper.


    "Dad took us to. . . to somece and. . . I couldn''t. . ."


    "How far have the five reached?" he asked and opened his eyes.


    "They''ve started to understand things. Use powers," replied Daksh. His hands behind his back and


    eyes on Azazel''s feet.


    "Speed it up," said Azazel and got up from the throne. Daksh could feel his heart pound and a slight


    thump in his brain. Azazel took small steps towards Daksh, his long ck robe sweeping the floor.


    "I want them to master their skills," said Azazel as he walked around Daksh. Daksh felt his throat go


    dry. He nodded his head. "Yes, Master."


    A young man wearing a bejewelled crown peeped through the door of the dungeon. His blue eyes


    stuck on Daksh. He removed a ck mask from his trouser''s pocket and put it on.


    "Help them achieve their goals," he heard Azazel''s voice. "But be careful. The book shouldn''t know


    about it."


    The masked man produced a small piece of what looked like a rugged white stone from his pocket. He


    gently sat on his knees and ced the small stone on the floor. It rolled towards Daksh and came to a


    halt at his shoes. The man snapped his fingers, and the stone attached itself to Daksh''s jeans.


    "Now," said Azazel and kept his hand on Daksh''s shoulders. "Off you go."


    Daksh bowed and closed his eyes, disappearing into thin air.


    ~~~~~~~~


    Advika helped Swarna sit and ced a pillow behind her back for support. "How are you feeling?" she


    asked and sat next to her, pulling a small stool.


    "Better," said Swarna and smiled. "Where''s Tej?"


    "Office," said Advika as she offered her a ss of water. Swarna took a few sips and kept the ss on


    the side table. "Is he like. . ."


    "He''s learning," said Advika and kept her hand on Swarna''s hand.


    "He never wanted to join the family business," said Swarna and rested her head against the pillow. "We


    do not have anyone we can trust. So he had to take over." She nced at the wall clock hung opposite


    the bed. "It''s almost 5. Is he eating right? Has the business recovered yet?"


    "The business isn''t out of crisis yet, but he''s doing all he can. Zavier uncle and Mr Taneja are there to


    support and guide," answered Advika. "And yes, Ray often goes to the office to make Tej eats."


    "I''m sorry you children have to do everything as we not have people who can. Who is with Arvind?"


    "It''s okay," consoled Advika. "Our priority is your health. Other things can wait. Ray or Maya will be


    there with him, don''t worry. I spoke with Dr Dixit. She said he''s recovering but will take time."


    "I wanted to go see him," said Swarna and tied her long hair into a bun.


    "Well," began Advika. "Dr Dixit has strictly said you cannot travel and must take bed rest."


    There was a knock on the door.


    "Maya?" said Advika.


    "Hello, aunty," chirped Maya and stepped into the bedroom holding white roses in her hands. "This is


    for you," she said.


    "Thank you, Maya," said Swarna with a bright smile as she took in the aroma of the fresh flowers.


    Advika eyed Maya giving her a what are you doing here look.


    Maya sat beside Swarna on the bed. "I just visited Arvind uncle. Ray is there with him. The doctors said


    he''ll be able to talk soon."


    "That''s great news, Maya," said Swarna and sat upright.


    "Absolutely," beamed Maya. "So you don''t worry about anything. Things will be fine soon."


    Advika felt something vibrate. She realized it was her phone. "Tej said he''sing home," she said.


    "Great," added Maya. "Aunty, we''ll make something for the both of you. Tej will be hungry. Advika, let''s


    go."


    Maya headed downstairs towards the kitchen. "I''ll be right back," said Advika and followed Maya.


    "Maya," she said once they were in the kitchen downstairs. "What do you think you''re doing? Is Zarna


    fine? Where is she?"


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Calm down, girl," said Maya and randomly opened the many cabs. "What are you looking for?"


    asked Advika frustrated with the casualness of her behaviour. "Well," Maya opened yet another cab


    that had utensils and cutlery arranged properly in it. "Got to prepare something for aunty and Tej."


    Advika sighed and opened a cab just above the gas. "Here," she said. "There''s wheat flour, gram


    flour, all spices, salt, sugar, and everything else you will need. But wait," she said and turned to look at


    Maya and crossed her arms. "You do not know how to cook, do you?"


    "Who said I''m cooking anything," said Maya and grinned. "You are."


    "What?" blurted Advika.


    "Yes, now be quick. We''ll leave after Tejes." She leaned towards Advika. "We have to go to the


    temple and library, remember?"


    Advika opened her mouth to say something. Maya, without waiting for a response turned on her heel


    and headed upstairs. She stopped and swivelled. "I''ll keep herpany while you cook."


    Advika closed her eyes and nodded her head. "This girl."


    ~~~~~~

 Chapter 32: Dai Maa

    Chapter 32: Dai Maa


    Indra snapped his fingers; all the curtains drew at once covering the hut in darkness. He swivelled to


    meet the confused faces of Daksh, Rutuja, and Rishi.


    "Indra," said Dai Ma as she shut the door behind her. "They will be here in no time." She produced a


    small crystal ball from her dresses'' pocket and held it in front of him.


    "The transportation crystal," said Rutuja as she stepped towards it. "Why are we-"


    Daksh spun around as the ground shook and thunder rattled in the distance. Rishi lost his bnce and


    "Indra," said Dai Ma as she stretched her hand. Indra narrowed his eyes and tilted his head. "No, I''m


    noting with you," said Dai Ma as though reading his mind.


    "What is happening?" said Daksh.


    "His people are here," said Dai Ma and thrust the ball in Indra''s hands. Indra opened his mouth to say


    something but Dai Ma raised her hand in the air. "You follow my orders, Indra."


    "How did they get here? Nobody knew this ce-" started Rutuja and clutched Rishi''s arm.


    There was a bang and the door exploded into pieces. They shielded their eyes from the light flooding


    the room. "Indra," said Dai Ma, standing in front of them, facing the group of ten people now standing in


    front of them with what looked like guns in their hands. "Do it now. I order you."


    Rutuja stepped ahead and produced a transparent ball of light and threw it towards the soldiers. The


    soldiers stood there, almost unaffected by her move.


    Daksh stretched his arms in the air generating a ball full of sparkling blue light. Rishi moved his hands


    up in the air building a wall of protection around them as the soldiers began firing. The bullets could not


    pass the protective wall build by Rishi. Though the wall became weaker every passing second as the


    iing bullets didn''t seem to stop any time soon.


    Daksh threw the electric ball in their direction. It hit them with full velocity. Still, they stood there,


    unmoved, their silver armours deflecting all the attacks on them.


    Rishi fell to the ground; his hands in front of him, trying to keep the resistance of the wall poised. "I


    can''t stop them anymore," he said closing his eyes, applying all the power he had. He could feel the


    strain in his muscles and nerves, the energy gradually leaving his body.


    Daksh and Rutuja continued with their efforts of attacking the enemies from another side of the


    protective wall but in vain.


    With much hesitation, Indra threw the ball up in the air and pulled the children towards him in a circle.


    Rutuja spun her neck so fast that she might have hurt herself. Dai Ma produced a massive ball of void


    that blocked all the bulletsing from the shotguns of the enemies.


    The image of Dai Ma battling the soldiers alone blurred every passing moment. Daksh stuck out his


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    hand to feel the wall of what felt like water-raising around them. Rishi looked up at the crystal that was


    emanating bright white light.


    Indra caught hold of Rutuja''s arms as she set her foot towards Dai Ma, outside the circle of water they


    were standing in now. "We are not leaving her alone," she murmured teary-eyed.


    Daksh took a step towards the wall but was instantly pushed back by an invisible force. He closed his


    eyes and moved his hands in a circr motion as though producing an ethereal ball. Rishi followed.


    "This is a wall of transportation," said Rutuja, her heart pulsating vehemently against her chest. "No


    magic works in it."


    Rishi and Daksh opened their eyes and looked at their hands, confused. Daksh nodded his head and


    stretched his hands in front of him attempting to produce a sort of invisible rope or power that could


    stop the soldiers.


    A masked man emerged from behind the soldiers and stood in front of Dai Ma. He lifted his hands in


    the air forming a sparkling ball of light.


    "No!" said Rishi and Daksh in unison as the ball hit Dai Ma right in her chest. She copsed on the floor


    andy motionless.


    The surroundings dissolved in the air as they were particles of sugar dissolving in water. The wall of


    water sprang high up and covered them. Rutuja''s eyes were full of tears. She noticed the floor has


    disappeared and had instead been reced with green grass.


    Daksh looked at Indra usingly. Rishi kept his hand on Rutuja''s shoulders as she dropped to her


    knees, sobbing. "Why!?" was all she uttered.


    Indra felt his throat go dry and his hands shiver.


    "We have to go back," said Rishi. "We can''t just leave her like that."


    "How could you?" said Daksh, his eyes watery. He felt like his insides were burning, his heart heavy


    with grief. He buried his face in his hands.


    "We could fight them!" said Rishi. "Why did we run? Leaving Dai Ma alone."


    Rutuja kept crying; her face covered with her open hair. She took a deep breath and got to her feet


    wiping her tears with the back of her hand. "They were Azazel''s special shooters," she said, sniffling.


    "You can''t fight them. They don''t stop for nothing."


    Indra turned on his heels and began walking in the opposite direction.


    "Master Indra!" called Rishi. "Where are you going?"


    Daksh looked up at his father who was now walking away from them. He looked at the things that


    surrounded them. He could see trees, bushes, huge boulders, and a river far away from them. As


    thoughing to his senses, he took in the air and closed his eyes. "Roses," he said.


    "This," said Rutuja, still weeping. "is the Forest of Aegis. It''s the ce of the highest security and can


    be only entered in times of peril."


    "Well, what about Dai Ma?" questioned Rishi as he looked at Rutuja and then at Daksh.


    "Don''t," said Rutuja as Daksh set his foot in the direction of Indra. "He wants to be alone," she said


    wiping her tears.


    Daksh opened his mouth to protest but he felt furious and sad at the same time that his brain could not


    form words. He dropped to his knees and put his hands on the ground crushing the grass.


    "Are we just going to let them take her away?" Rishi almost screamed.


    Rutuja sat next to Daksh cross-legged and began sobbing again. Daksh felt his tears running down his


    face. Rutuja looked up at Rishi. "We''ve lost her."


    "No, she- this can''t happen- " said Rishi. Tears rolling down his eyes. He took a few steps back and


    dropped down on the ground, wailing.


    To be continued...

 Chapter 33: New Adventure

    Chapter 33: New Adventure


    A ck car came to a halt as Advika stepped out of her apartment and started walking in its direction.


    The girl sitting in the driver''s seat rolled down the ss of the window and lowered her ck goggles


    looking at Advika. Advika rolled her eyes and nodded her head. She opened the door and sat beside


    her keeping the bag in the backseat. "Didn''t know you had a car."


    "It''s my sister''s actually," said Maya and hit the engine. "Told her I had to go on a trip with my girl gang."


    "Dressed as Sherlock Holmes?" said Advika rolled down the ss.


    Maya wore blue jeans, a ck top, and a leather jacket to go with it. She had tied her curly hair in a


    bun and wore ck goggles. "You have no style, do you?"


    She took a left turn and proceeded towards the highway.


    Advika wore a full-sleeve light blue top and a three-fourth to go with it. She too had tied her hair into a


    messy bun and wore her ck cat-eye spectacles.


    "Did you inform Zarna that we''re going to the temple?" asked Advika staring into the bright blue sky.


    "Yes," she said, her gaze fixed on the traffic ahead. "She insisted oning but I said that she can join


    once she''s back to normal."


    They reached the temple after half an hour drive. "Looks so much different in the daylight," said Maya.


    "Yeah," agreed Advika. "So we go from the backdoor, right?" quizzed Maya. "Yes, then look for the


    source of the music," replied Advika as they got down from the car.


    ~~~~~


    Tej stood in front of the mirror, preparing himself for another difficult day at the office. His thick hair set


    on one side neatly. He wore a washed blue ripped jeans and a v-neck ck tee that fit him well,


    highlighted his fair skin. He wore formal ck leather shoes under it.


    "You ready?" asked Ray as he leaned on the door.


    "Yeah, let''s go," said Tej adjusting his tie. He looked at Ray. "Zarna is fine," said Ray as though reading


    his mind. "Did you talk to Advika?"


    "About what?" said Tej as they headed towards his parents'' room. "Are you still mad?" asked Ray. "It


    doesn''t matter," replied Tej and knocked on the door.


    "You?" said the boys in unison. "What are you doing here?" asked Tej. "When did you arrive? We didn''t


    see youing?" said Ray. "You should have been at home, resting," said Tej.


    "Guys, I''m fine, easy," said Zarna. "I came to check on aunt as-"


    "As?" said Tej. "Where''s Maya and Advika?" questioned Ray.


    "They had work," lied Zarna and tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Advika has toplete this


    story of hers, and Maya had to go to her office so."


    "Is aunt sleeping?" asked Ray. "Yes," replied Zarna. "I just gave her the medicines, don''t worry."


    "Okay," said Tej. "I''ll see you guys at dinner then. You are waiting, right?"


    "Yeah, of course," said Zarna and smiled. "I bought myptop as well, willplete my work here."


    "Yeah, I''ll go check on uncle, and then go to the radio station, thene back here," said Ray.


    "Hey," said Zarna. "You didn''t tell us about this new internship of yours. You''re an RJ, that''s cool."


    "Well, yes, thought of using the spare time after college," he said and adjusted his colourful headband.


    "Good luck, RJ Ray," said Zarna and giggled.


    ~~~~


    Advika and Maya stood in front of an enormous door covered with webs and dust. It looked like nobody


    had touched it in years. Advika could feel her heart thump vehemently. Maya dusted the knob as


    Advika tied a handkerchief around her face covering her nose and mouth. Maya looked at her and


    arched her eyebrow.


    "There''s a lot of dust here," said Advika.


    Maya pushed open the door. The old, mahogany wooden door opened and the hinges made a loud


    squeaky noise. Maya stepped inside followed by Advika.


    The dusty air entered her lungs and she began coughing. More and more dust released from the


    parquet below with every step they took. It was dark and gloomy, the air filled with the sense of


    petrichor. The only source of light in the king-sized room was the lighting from their phones.


    Maya turned on her heel all of a sudden and rushed towards the door, closing it. Advika looked around


    the room and found old paintings, a chandelier, a few wooden chairs, a broken mirror, a king-sized bed,


    and a rather odd-looking huge treasure box.


    Maya looked around the room frantically. "What is it?" asked Advika. Maya made a small run to the bed


    and picked up the dirty bedsheet lying on it. She walked up to the broken mirror and covered it.


    "What''s with you and mirrors?" asked Advika.


    "I thought you might know," said Maya and stepped away from the mirror. "You''re the know it all girl."


    Advika pursed her lips and closed her eyes for a second. She knew this was not the right time and


    ce to pick a fight with Maya. "Anyway," she said. "The sound wasing from this room, the music I


    mean," she said and made her way towards the treasure box.


    "Be careful," said Maya as Advika sat down on the floor and examined the treasure box. She picked a


    cloth lying nearby and tried cleaning the box. She gaped and turned to look at Maya who was equally


    surprised. The box was made of what looked like pure gold. Advika held the small silver lock in her


    hands. "Wish Ray was here," she said.


    She stared at the lock for a minute or so and removed a hairpin from the bag she was carrying. She


    stuck the t end of the pin into the top of the lock and bent it. She attempted to disengage the pins in


    the lock. "Try with one more," suggested Maya.


    Advika produced another hairpin from her bag and inserted it into the lock. She turned both the pins in


    every possible way but in vain.


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    ~~~~


    "Well," said Maya. "It''s an ancient lock, can''t be that easy to unlock it."


    "Wait a minute," said Advika. "You remember we had got a key in that other room where we found that


    magic bowl?"


    "Yes, but, what are the odds?" said Maya. "Why will the key be there, so far from the treasure? Let''s


    look for other clues."


    Advika looked at the treasure longingly.

 Chapter 34: In the Secret Room

    Chapter 34: In the Secret Room


    Maya''s eyes fell on a huge painting hung on the musty wall. It was covered with dust and looked


    disheveled. "Look at this," said Maya and took a few steps towards it.


    The painting depicted a courtroom with the king sitting on his throne surrounded by 11 subordinates.


    They were all dressed in red robes with the king donning a golden crown on his head.


    "How many subordinates did King Himaqat have?" questioned Advika as she scanned the painting,


    trying to remove the dust from it. "Eleven," said Maya staring at the painting. "But we can''t conclude


    like that."


    "Of course, I was just-"


    There was a click that drew their attention. Advika''s heart skipped a beat as she turned to look at the


    door. Maya rushed towards it and pulled the door handles with all her might, almost swinging from it.


    Advika looked around trying to bring her breathing to normal. She spotted a window and rushed


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    towards it. "Maya!" she called and scanned for the opening of the hexagonal window. The edges and


    corners were covered in rust, making it impossible to open. Maya knocked on the window. "ss can


    be broken," she said.


    Maya lifted her right leg and fit the ss forcefully. Advika searched the room as Maya kept kicking the


    ss.


    Jewellery, swords, old velvet clothes, daggers, and some locked books were all she found. "Maya," she


    said and sat on the dusty ground. "It seems like some king, queen, prince, or princess lived here."


    Maya, breathing heavily, staggered towards Advika and sat on her knees. "Do you realise," she almost


    screamed, "that we are stuck in an unknown ce with nowork."


    Advika immediately checked the signal on her phone. She took a deep breath. "Maya," she said. "I


    know we are stuck and, rx we will get out of here."


    "How? How Advika!?"


    "Calm down," said Advika. "Remember the first poin-"


    "O! shut up!" said Maya and got to her feet. "I don''t need your tips. Just tell me, how are we going to


    get out of here?"


    Advika closed her eyes and pictured Zarna. She stretched her arms and sat cross-legged. She took a


    few more deep breathes rxing her body and senses. She felt the bond she had with Zarna and


    visualized her as though she was sitting right in front of her.


    "Zarna," she said in her mind. "Zarna, me and Maya are stuck here in this secret room of the temple.


    Please help. Do not tell Tej or Ray. Try the voice changer app I installed on your phone. Talk to my and


    Zarna''s parents. Tell them we are safe and will stay at your house."


    ~~~~~


    A ss slipped from Zarna''s hand and met the floor. "Zarna," said Swarna. "Are you alright?"


    "Yes," said Zarna. "I''m sorry, I-"


    "No problem, dear," said Swarna. "The maid will clean it. It''s okay."


    ~~~~~


    Daksh stepped inside what seemed like a small hut. It had several doors and windows to it. There was


    plenty of room inside. He failed to understand how this magic worked. These huts appeared small from


    outside but, the interiors were surprisingly not less than any hotel.


    He sshed some water on his face and rested his arms on the sides of the earthen pot kept in the


    corner of the room. The water droplets dripping off his face as he ran his fingers through his thick


    auburn hair that reached just above the nape of his neck.


    He closed his eyes; the memories from his childhood, spamming his mind with Dai Ma''s face running


    all over it. After his mother, Tara, Dai Ma was the one who had looked after him and his brothers, while


    they were alive. He felt as if someone had crushed his heart with their bare hands.


    Tears escaped from his eyes. He fell to the ground,nding on his knees.


    Rishi stood at the door, watching Daksh cry from a distance. A tear slid from his eye. He pursed his lips


    and punched the door slightly, sobbing.


    ~~~~~

 Chapter 35: The Books

    Chapter 35: The Books


    "I tried calling Advika," said Ray as she sat next to Tej on the dining table. Zarna pursed her lips and


    checked her phone. She saw a message from Advika.


    Zarna, if you''re reading this, me and Maya are probably stuck in the temple. Talk to our parents through


    that voice changer app I installed on your phone. Handle Ray and Tej. And don''te here to rescue


    us. It''ll be a risk.


    "Advika and Maya might be busy with their work," said Zarna and kept her phone back in her pocket.


    "How are you back so early?" she asked, changing the topic.


    "I finished the work early," said Tej and pour some coffee into his mug. "Yeah, even I wrapped up the


    show," said Ray, chewing the sandwich.


    "Well then, if you are here, then I''ll leave," said Zarna and picked up her sling bag. "Wait," said Tej.


    "First have something, then I''ll drop you home."


    "Oh, I already had supper with Aunt so, and I''ll have to visit Jiya on the way back home. I''ll see Aunt


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    and leave, see you tomorrow."


    "You sure you''ll go on your own?" asked Ray. "Yes, don''t worry," said Zarna and headed towards


    Swarna''s bedroom.


    Tej and Ray exchanged nces. "Something''s not right," said Ray. Tej shrugged and took a bite of the


    sandwich.


    ~~~~


    "Wow!" said Maya and crossed her arms. "Great n, Advika."


    "At least I tried," said Advika and inserted her hairpin in one of those old books she found in the room.


    "O, My God!"


    The book opened, revealing a picture of a queen. Queen Bhngana, it said.


    "I cannot believe this," said Maya and clenched her fists. "You are impossible, Advika. We are stuck


    here, and you want to read some old book?"


    "Maya," said Advika, her eyes glued to the book. "I''m merely trying to find a way out."


    Maya walked towards the door and pulled it, applying all the strength she had. Advika scanned through


    the pages looking for any information that might help.


    She stopped at a page, got to her feet and rushed towards the window.


    Mother Earth give me strength. I call and ask this of thee. Help me feel your strength again, and seek


    the power that resides within.


    She spoke and took a deep breath in keeping her hands on the window. She could feel the energy in


    her hands. Maya spun around as the window opened. Advika rushed back, stuffed all the books and


    the treasure box in her bag. "Leave everything, just hurry," said Maya as she made a small run towards


    the window and peeped outside.


    ~~~~


    Zarna let out a sigh and sank into the chair in her bedroom. "Advika! Thank God you called. I''ve been


    worried sick," she said, sitting upright.


    "We''re going home now, don''t worry, we''re fine," said Advika. "See you tomorrow at Maya''s."


    "Okay, take care," said Zarna.


    ~~~~


    Maya hit the break as they arrived at Advika''s home. "How did you open the window?"


    "With the help of the spell in that book," replied Advika and struggled to lift the bag as it was filled with


    stuff she took from the secret room.


    "Are you sure you''ll be able to take it home without falling?" asked Maya."Of course," she said and


    opened the door. "See you tomorrow."


    ~~~~~


    Daksh, Rutuja, and Rishi sat on the floor; their eyes were swollen and their faces dull.


    Indra sat on the red sofa opposite them. He turned to look on his side, expecting Dai Ma to take her


    seat. His heart sank. He fought back tears and cleared his throat.


    "Those were Azazel''s people," he spoke, finally breaking the silence. "Yes, I have fought his men


    before, but they have an upper hand now."


    "Now? As in?" asked Rutuja wiping her tears.


    "Azazel''s son-"


    "He has a son!?" Daksh almost screamed. His mind went back to all the times he had visited Azazel''s


    den. He was shocked to never met his so-called Master''s son.


    "Yes," answered Indra. "We are not sure whether he has adopted him or it''s his own, but they call him


    Prince."


    "What about him?" asked Rishi.


    "He has a special power," replied Indra. "The power of harnessing the moon''s energy."


    "Oh, and it is the New Moon phase," added Rutuja. Daksh and Rishi looked at her, confused.


    "In the new moon phase, if harnessed properly, one can increase his/her dark powers," she borated.


    "So? Does that make him invincible?" questioned Rishi.


    "Not invincible," replied Rutuja. "But as Master Indra said, he has an upper hand."


    "So it means we do not stand a chance?" asked Daksh. Rishi looked at Indra. "Why can''t we utilize the


    power then?"


    "The Prince has some affinity," said Indra.


    "Does that make him invincible?" questioned Rishi. "Not exactly," said Indra. "But he is powerful."


    "More than Azazel?" asked Daksh. "Maybe," answered Indra. Daksh was taken aback. He had not


    seen any witch or wizard more powerful than Azazel.


    "Dai Ma knew this," said Indra. "She knew if we waited there to fight, we all would have been dead by


    now."


    "Why didn''t she join us? Why the sacrifice?" asked Rishi.


    "Dai Ma was the only one who knew this moon magic," revealed Indra. "We needed someone to block


    him until the crystal transported us here. He could even stop the crystal from teleporting us and reverse


    things."


    "What do we do now?" asked Rishi.


    "We need to get his details. His weaknesses," said Indra and got to his feet.


    "Rutuja, there are a couple of books on new moon powers upstairs in the library. Go through them."


    Rutuja nodded her head. "And boys, try not to wander and stay indoors."


    ~~~~~


    To be continued. . .

 Chapter 36: Books, Coffee, and More

    Chapter 36: Books, Coffee, and More


    Zarna sat down on the floor as Advika emptied her bag. Maya locked the bedroom and sat next to


    them.


    "So many books," said Zarna as she picked one of them. It had a thick deep blue cover and was locked


    with a few threads attached with what looked like white pearls.


    "I knew you would pick that one," said Advika dusting the treasure box. "It kind of reminds me of the


    ocean."


    "By the way," said Maya as she scanned all the books and artefacts lying on the floor. "How is aunt


    doing now?"


    "She''s recovering," said Zarna untying the threads. "Queen Bhngana," she read on the first page of


    the book. Advika peeped in. "See this," she said, lifting a thick ck book. "Even this has her name."


    "King Agneya," said Maya as she picked a book with an orange and yellow cover. "Queen Amber," she


    said, opening another book; it had a sky blue colour cover.


    "King Bhaumik," said Advika lifting a book with a brown mud colour. "King Samir," read Zarna from


    another book covered in a transparent sheet-like thing. "And finally," said Maya picking up thest


    unread book. "Queen Agrata." It had several colours on its cover, which made it look vibrant out of all.


    "Let''s read them all and find out what secrets they hold," said Advika. Her eyes gleaming with


    excitement. She smiled and opened the book she had previously read.


    "So you got that spell from this book?" asked Maya and examined the treasure book. "Yes," replied


    Advika. "Don''t tell me you haven''t read it already," she said. "Yes, we know the thing with you and


    books," added Zarna.


    "Yes, well, only half of it," confessed Advika and dug her head in the book.


    "What did it say?" asked Maya and kept the treasure box on the floor. "Queen Bhngana," began


    Advika, "had this power of the element water," she looked at Zarna, "just like you."


    "And?" asked Zarna. "How did she get it? Was she born with it? Are these books true? Or just any


    other storybooks?"


    "Well, firstly," said Advika. "She was not born with it. It is said that she earned these powers through


    practice. Well, yes, she was born with some powers of course, but then she developed it with some


    teacher of her."


    "So you''re saying these books are true? I mean-"


    "Yes," replied Advika. Maya pursed her lips and tilted her head to the right looking doubtful. "The spell,


    it worked," said Advika.


    There was a knock on the door. Maya and Advika exchanged nces. Maya walked towards the door


    as Advika pushed everything, including the books, treasure box, other artefacts, under the bed at once.


    Zarna stared at her nkly. "We can''t disclose it, can we?" whispered Advika.


    "Thanks," said Maya and smiled at the cook, who left after serving them some snacks and hot cups of


    coffee and green tea.


    Advika pulled out those books at once and opened the book she was reading. "So what I was saying is


    that this Queen Bhngana held the powers of the element water, plus she had other abilities as well."


    "Like?" asked Maya and offered a cup to Advika.


    "Like that spell, I used," said Advika and sipped the coffee.


    Zarna munched what looked like mini samosas. "What are these? They''re good."


    "It''s called Nimki," said Maya and turned to look at Advika. "So Queen Bhngana could harness the


    power of other elements as well," she said and sipped her green tea.


    "Yes," said Advika and kept the book down. "It''s just about her journey from being a newbie to a


    Queen."


    "Just like us," added Zarna and scanned through the pages of the blue book. "Has some spells," she


    said. "Might try these when I''m around the sea."


    Advika and Maya exchanged a nce. "The sea?" said Advika and took a bite of the nimki. "And when


    exactly do you n to go to the sea?" asked Maya reaching for the book covered in a transparent


    sheet.


    "Well," said Zarna, turning the pages, "whenever the book wants us to be there."


    "I don''t know, Zarna," said Advika and sipped the coffee. "It won''t transport us unless we all are


    together."


    "Exactly," added Maya, reading the first few pages. "This King Samir, he too went through training and


    stuff before attaining those powers."


    "We have Grantha, but then, she never revealed herself," said Advika.


    "Yes, we don''t have a teacher as such," said Maya.


    "Maybe we should contact Grantha then," said Zarna and got to her feet. She walked towards the


    balcony and fixated her gaze on the sky.


    "Good idea, Zu, but how exactly are we supposed to do that?" quizzed Advika and picked up a small


    telescope from the junk. She tried to zoom in and out, fiddling with it.


    "You can," said Zarna and turned to look at Advika, who had now kept the telescope away, staring


    nkly at Zarna.


    "Please borate," said Maya and sat cross-legged on the floor.


    "You were the one who first talked to Grantha," began Zarna. "You are the only one who has ever


    talked to her." She leaned on the balcony grill and took a deep breath. "It''s you who can try to do it


    again."


    "No, Zarna," said Advika and got to her feet. "We were in danger," she walked towards the balcony and


    stood next to Zarna with a cup of coffee in her hands. "Grantha showed up to save us. Not to


    "No, but she has a point," added Maya. "Try tomunicate with her, somehow."


    Advika shrugged.


    "So, I think we should divide these books among us," suggested Zarna. "Yes, we should," agreed Maya


    and picked up a few of them. "Are you going to see aunt then?"


    "Yes, I''ll have a word with the doctor as well," said Advika and thought of Tej and Rey. "Are they still


    mad at us?"


    Zarna made a pout and blinked. "Sort of, but I think they''ll be fine soon," she answered and kept her


    hand on Advika''s hand.


    ~~~~


    Rutuja''s ck heels tapped against the floor, making a loud sound in the quiet library. Her white high


    neckce top and dark blue jeans almost matched the posh furniture in the library. She scanned


    through the covers of the books, walking from section to section.


    Her eyes fell on a book having an old-fashioned torn cover. She picked it up and touched it. It felt like


    somebody had spilt ck and red paint over it.


    ''The Moon and Magic by Huro,'' said the cover.


    She pulled a chair and sat on it, scanning through the pages.


    ~~~~


    "No! Stop!" yelled Rishi as he pushed Daksh and closed the portal that was sucking everything inside


    it. Daksh got to his feet and made his way towards the portal, which was now diminishing in size. Rishi


    stepped in his way and applied all his force to keep him from it.


    Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    "Leave me!" yelled Daksh and pushed Rishi out of his way, but it was toote; the portal had vanished.


    He held Rishi by his cor. "Why!?"


    "I couldn''t let you meet Azazel, not now," said Rishi breathing heavily. Daksh let go of him at once. He


    took a few steps back, wondering how Rishi had known his secret when even Indra couldn''t.

 Chapter 37: Getting Back to Normal

    Chapter 37: Getting Back to Normal


    "That''s great news," said Ray and sat next to Swarna. Advika sat on the adjacent sofa chair. "Did you


    tell this to Tej?"


    "No, I had called but, I guess he''s busy," said Advika. "It feels great to be healthy again," said Swarna


    and motioned Advika to sit beside her. She smiled and sat next to her. Swarna kept her hand on


    Advika''s head. "You children never left Tej alone. I''m d he has you."


    The doorbell rang, and secondster, Zarna and Maya were seen rushing towards Swarna. Advika and


    Ray got up so that they could hug her.


    "I''m d you are fine," said Maya and sat beside her. Zarna followed. "Me too," she half-hugged


    Swarna. "My favourite aunt is back."


    "I was just telling Advika how lucky Tej is to have such friends," said and caressed both the girls.


    Ray removed his phone from his pocket and hit the call button. "Where are you, mate? You should be


    home."


    "Hade to see Dad," replied Tej. "He''s fine now. The doctors said they''ll discharge him soon."


    "Yes, we know, buddy," said Ray and sat on the sofa chair. "You were busy so, we couldn''t tell that to


    you. Now don''t go back to the office. Come home."


    "I''ll be there in a few minutes. Taneja uncle will wait near Dad meanwhile."


    ~~~~~


    "Got anything?" asked a voice.


    "Not yet," said Rutuja as she kept the nth book away. "I''ve almost-" she stopped mid-sentence and


    swivelled. Her heart skipped a beat. She felt as though her eyes were ying some trick with her. She


    got up from the chair. Her heart was pounding.


    There stood ady leaning on a wooden stick. Her back was slightly bent and, her face looked ck.


    She had donned a white saree and a rudraksha m around her neck.


    A tear slid from Rutuja''s eyes, and she ran towards thedy to embrace her and caught nothing but


    thin air.


    "You cannot catch a soul, can you?" said thedy. "Dai Ma," sobbed Rutuja. "Why?"


    "My dear, it was crucial to stop the Prince, and I merely did my duty, so did Indra," said Dai Ma. "I''ve


    "You thought it would be easy for us to go on without you," cried Rutuja. "At least you would have let us


    Original from N?velDrama.Org.


    face him."


    "Rutuja, we would have if it was possible. Nevertheless, I''ve got no time to waste," said Dai Ma


    proceeded towards a section of the library and stood in front of a bookshelf. "Here lies the answer to all


    your questions," that was all she said before vanishing into thin air.


    ~~~~


    Advika opened the door and smiled at Tej. He looked her in the eye and headed towards the dining


    table where his mother and friends were seated.


    What''s wrong with him? thought Advika and closed the door scanning thene for any intruders one


    Tej hugged his mom and sat beside her. "Dad will be back home next week," he said and held her


    hands. "I know," said Swarna and smiled. "Go freshen up ande. We are all waiting for you."


    Tej headed upstairs to his room while Advika and Ray helped serve dinner. "So, children, how is it


    going with you guys?" asked Swarna as Advika and Ray took their seats. Maya sat opposite Swarna


    and Zarna, with Advika and Ray sitting beside her.


    "All good," said Maya. "I''m working on a new case, as an intern of course."


    "That''s nice," beamed Swarna and looked at Zarna, who was sitting next to her. "Oh, I''m preparing for


    my exams, for next month," she said. "I hope you were able to study while you were here," said


    Swarna. "Of course," replied Zarna and nced at Maya and Advika.


    "And Ray," said Swarna as Tej descended the stairs. "I heard your show."


    "Really?" said Ray, surprised. Tej sat next to his mother.


    "Yes of course. You are an amazing host, I must say," she said and smiled. "Thanks," beamed Ray and


    raised his brows at Tej. Tej gave him a wry smile and held his mom''s hand. "I''m d you are fine," he


    said. She caressed his hair and half-hugged him. "Let''s begin the feast then," said Ray and removed


    the lid from arge white bowl. "Bean and vegetable soup by chef me," he chirped. "Also, good for your


    health," he added serving it to Swarna.


    Advika helped everyone with the servings and then began eating. "Tej told me you run a small


    business, Advika," said Swarna. She choked, having a piece of veg crispy in her mouth. Tej, at an


    instant, offered her a ss of water. She coughed and gulped the water. "Are you fine?" he asked. She


    nodded her head and wiped her mouth with a tissue.


    Swarna nced at Tej and then at Ray, who tried his best to suppress the smile he had on his face.


    "She makes great candies and sweets," said Zarna. "Yes, this gb jamun is made by chef Advika,"


    added Ray and nudged her.


    Advika merely smiled and looked at Swarna. "They are my favourite," said Swarna. "I know. I made it


    especially for you," said Advika. "Ooo, that''s so sweet of you," said Swarna and looked at Zarna. "What


    do you call her?"


    "Adu," said Zarna and Ray in unison and grinned.


    "But you guys should keeping, you know, even though I''m fine now, and Arvind will be back soon,"


    said Swarna and took a bite of the paneer kofta. "Delicious," she said. "Thank you," beamed Ray. "Yes,


    we''ll get to have special dishes prepared by chef Ray himself," added Maya devouring another


    spoonful of fried rice.


    "Well, thank you, and the fried rice, that''s by Advika," he said and served himself some of it. Maya


    looked appreciatively at Advika. Advika blinked at her and smiled. Tej and Ray exchanged nces.


    They both knew Maya and Advika never liked each other and were never on the same page in any


    matter.


    "You guys could do something together," suggested Swarna. "A business, or a restaurant, you can


    make a good team."


    "Oh, yes, the mission," said Zarna, munching.


    All eyes were on her. "What mission?" asked Swarna and looked at Tej. He nodded his head. "The


    mission to seed in life," jumped Advika. "Be sessful and with each other in this journey."


    "Yeah, right," said Maya and smiled, giving Zarna a ''be careful'' look. "That''s great," appreciated


    Swarna. "I love your bond."


    "Bond," said Tej. "That reminds me of tomorrow''s deal. I have to talk to Taneja uncle." He picked up his


    dish and began walking towards the kitchen. "At least taste the rice and sweet," insisted Swarna. "No,


    I''m done. I''ll see you guys tomorrow," he said and looked at everyone except Advika and went straight


    to the kitchen.

 Chapter 38: The Book Shelf

    Chapter 38: The Book Shelf


    "Daksh," said Rishi and took a few steps towards him. Daksh leaned against the wall staring at the


    ground.


    "Yes, I did keep an eye on you," confessed Rishi. "Even while I was at school and training, away from


    you and Rutuja."


    Daksh looked up at him, astonished. "How do you know?"


    "Listen," said Rishi and kept his hand on Daksh''s shoulders. "I never meant to harm you. I was only


    protecti-"


    Daksh pushed Rishi''s hand off his shoulder and grabbed him by his cor, pushing him towards the


    wall. "I don''t need protecting," he snarled.


    Rishi could feel Daksh''s hot breath on his face. He closed his eyes and bent his neck. "You did not


    follow me," it was more of an assurance Daksh made to himself than a question to Rishi.


    "No, of course not," said Rishi removing Daksh''s hand from his cor. "I always had a doubt. You never


    really liked the way master Indra did things or taught us."


    He walked away from Daksh and turned away. "I followed you only once," he revealed. Daksh could


    feel his heart hammering; he clenched his fists and shut his eyes.


    "The first time you had entered Azazel''s den," began Rishi. "Back then, you did not know how to hide


    traces, so it was easy to follow you. I pledged I would keep an eye on you to-"


    "Why didn''t you tell dad?" asked Daksh and marched towards Rishi. "Why didn''t you tell Rutuja? You


    always wanted them to hate me. You had a chance." He smiled and shook his head. "Oh, right, did not


    have any proof, did you?"Exclusive ? material by N?(/v)elDrama.Org.


    Rishi looked up and swallowed the lump in his throat. "That was never the reason," he said. "I know


    you mean no harm. I know why you-"


    "Guys," Rutuja came running from the stairs. She ran towards Rishi and half hugged him. She walked


    towards Daksh and held his hand. "I saw Dai Maa."


    ~~~~


    Advika shut the door of her bedroom and sat on the bed. "Try to talk to Grantha. Wow," she said.


    "How?"


    She nced at her vision board on the wall and closed her eyes. Grantha, she thought. Please talk to


    me. How do we go ahead with this? Grantha please, help.


    She flinched as the bag kept on the floor moved and opened her eyes at once. She stared at it for a


    moment, then strolled towards it, sat down and opened it. The book named Queen Bhngana jumped


    out of it.


    Advika was taken aback; her heart skipped a beat.


    "Grantha," she said with quivering lips. "Is that you?"


    She leaned and took the book in her hands, her heart still hammering, her breath unsteady. Opening it,


    she read through the pages, meticulously analyzing the information.


    ~~~~


    "What do you mean you saw Dai Ma?" asked Rishi. Daksh took a few deep breaths and shook his


    head.


    "I was in the library upstairs. Then she, actually it was her soul who-"


    "Maybe you were just hallucinating," said Daksh. Rutuja looked cross. She folded her arms and raised


    her eyebrow. "I do know the difference between a hallucination and reality."


    She turned to face Rishi and smiled. "Dai Ma showed me a bookshelf. I almost read all the books but,


    none were anything special."


    "Show that shelf to us," he said. Rutuja held his hand and dragged him upstairs to the library. Daksh


    followed.


    "This is the shelf," said Rutuja and stood in front of a wooden, rather odd-looking shelf. The books


    looked as if someone had carelessly thrown them on the shelf. Most books were without a cover.


    Rishi nced at Rutuja and strolled towards the shelf. He scanned through all the books and sat down


    to search the section at the bottom. "Why does this section have books like these?" he asked. "Did you


    remove them and not arrange back. I don''t think you did, but still."


    "Of course not, Rishi," she said and sat next to him. "The thing is that," she picked a few books, sort


    them, and kept them back. The books rearranged themselves, jumping on their own ord, as though


    they were living beings.


    Daksh blinked several times and stared at the sky outside. The stars and the moon were shining bright.


    It reminded him of his mom and his childhood. He closed his eyes and pictured them together. He, his


    brothers, mom, and dad.


    "Weird," said Rishi and got to his feet. He held Rutuja''s hand and took her away from the shelf. "Books,


    Ru, can be dangerous as well."


    "This is the shelf," said Rutuja and stood in front of a wooden, rather odd-looking shelf. The books


    looked as if someone had carelessly thrown them on the shelf. Most books were without a cover.


    Rishi nced at Rutuja and strolled towards the shelf. He scanned through all the books and sat down


    to search the section at the bottom. "Why does this section have books like these?" he asked. "Did you


    remove them and not arrange back. I don''t think you did, but still."


    "Of course not, Rishi," she said and sat next to him. "The thing is that," she picked a few books, sort


    them, and kept them back. The books rearranged themselves, jumping on their own ord, as though


    they were living beings.


    Daksh blinked several times and stared at the sky outside. The stars and the moon were shining bright.


    It reminded him of his mom and his childhood. He closed his eyes and pictured them together. He, his


    brothers, mom, and dad.


    "Weird," said Rishi and got to his feet. He held Rutuja''s hand and took her away from the shelf. "Books,


    Ru, can be dangerous as well."


    "What do you mean?" she asked and nced at Daksh, who was lost in his own thoughts.


    "I mean, Ru, we have heard about King Himaqat, haven''t we? The ck book, white book,


    Shaktigrantha and all. It is enough to know that books hold immense power, and they can be


    dangerous too."


    She opened her mouth to argue, but Rishi stopped her. "We wille here in the morning."

 Chapter 39: Leap of Faith?

    Chapter 39: Leap of Faith?


    Advika woke up with a start as her phone vibrated. "Hello," she said in a sleepish voice. "Are you still


    sleeping?" Maya almost screamed. "Did you see my message yet? We are leaving in some time."


    "Wha-"


    Maya had already cut the call before Advika could say anything. She got up and checked her phone.


    We will be going to the temple, the forest, and a few other ces as these books say so. Will pick you


    up at 11.


    Advika got off the bed and rushed to the bathroom as it was already 10.30 am.


    ~~~~


    "What happened?" asked Zarna as she paced across Maya''s bedroom. "She was sleeping!" yelled


    Maya and threw the phone on her bed.


    "Rx," said Zarna. "You know Advika. And it''s a weekend."


    "We are on a mission!" emphasized Maya and stood in front of one of the mirrors kept in her room.


    "Why are the other mirrors covered with white cloth?" asked Zarna and stretched her hand to touch it.


    "No!" Maya almost screamed.


    Zarna withdrew her hands at once. "Okay, okay, I won''t remove it," she said and sat on the bed. "Oh,"


    she said and reached for her phone in her sling bag.


    Maya looked at her and raised her brows. "Ray had asked if we could meet today," she said and


    unlocked her phone.


    "Why?" asked Maya and sat next to her. "Did he want some help? God! Zarna, you didn''t tell him about


    our n, did you?"


    "I''m just saying I have other ns," she said as she typed the message. "Yeah, right. We will tell them,


    but not now," said Maya and looked at her wristwatch. "I think we should leave."


    ~~~~


    Advika made a small run towards the gate as a ck Audi came to a halt outside her building. She


    quickly got in and removed her bag, panting.


    "What''s in it?" asked Zarna and swivelled in her seat to take a better look at the ck bag Advika just


    N?velDrama.Org (C) content.


    pushed aside. It looked more like a school bag stuffed with a bunch of notebooks.


    Maya adjusted the rearview mirror of the car and nced at Advika. "What with your eyes?"


    "Nothing," said Advika and wore her cat-eye spectacles. "Where are we going first?"


    Maya and Zarna exchanged a nce. "Adu," began Zarna. "You might not agree with this but, we are


    going to the same hut we went-"


    "Have you guys lost it?" she blurted. "Don''t you remember the damage it has done?"


    "We''re not going unarmed, silly girl," said Maya and motioned Zarna to pick the small pouch lying


    beside her seat. "This has things that will keep us safe."

 Chapter 40: Moons secret?

    Chapter 40: Moon''s secret?


    The girls jumped as the door opened, revealing another red door. "Thest time," said Zarna and took


    a step behind, "it was empty. It was just darkness. Where did this doore from?"


    "Girls," said Maya. "Lockets on." She produced three simr lockets from the small velvet bag and


    passed them.


    "Wait," said Advika as she wore the locket around her neck. "Are we. . ."


    "Yes," said Maya and kept her hand on the doorknob. "Follow me."


    ~~~~


    "These girls," said Tej as they drove past the coffee house. "I know," said Ray, his eyes glued to his


    phone''s screen.


    "Tell me what was the need?" he said as he drove at full speed, impatient to reach the destination.


    "I''m mad too," said Ray. "Take the next left."


    ~~~~~


    Maya pushed open the door. A gush of liquid blew from an unknown source. The girls closed their eyes


    at once and threw their hands up, shielding their faces from the liquid.


    Advika sniffed her sleeves drenched in the water like substance covering most of her top and jeans.


    Her heart was hammering inside her chest. She gathered all her courage and stepped forward with her


    hands trying to find the doorknob. "AAAAA!" was all the girls heard before finding themselves in a dark,


    murky, cold room.


    ~~~~


    "No way," said Ray as Tej hit the breaks. "I lost them."


    "What do you mean?" said Tej and took Ray''s phone in his hands. He zoomed in on the screen and the


    location. "We''re almost there. They were just here, right?"


    "Yes," replied Ray. "But-"


    "Did she know about it by any chance?" asked Tej and looked at the barrennd ahead. "No, if it was


    Advika she would have, but not Zarna."


    Tej took a deep breath and pictured the girls. "I hope they are safe."


    ~~~~~


    "Where is Master Indra?" quizzed Rishi as he sat on the floor in front of the mysterious bookshelf they


    had just discovered. "He said he''ll be back soon, didn''t say where he''s going," replied Rutuja as she sat


    next to him. "Where is Daksh?"


    "Sleeping," said Rishi and picked up a random from the shelf. "Is he okay? Let me go and check."


    "No," said Rishi and held her hand. "He''s fine. Just you know, coping up with. . . whatever happened."


    Rutuja nodded her head and pursed her lips. "After his mom, Dai Ma was-"


    "I know," said Rishi and examined the other books. "What''s that?"


    He picked up a dusty, dull-looking book from the second shelf. "See its ss," he said and kept his


    hand on the front cover.


    Rutuja almost jumped at the sound of cracks in the wall opposite them. "Did I- Oh no," said Rishi and


    turned the book to read the back cover. "Only for the brave hearts," he read.


    The cracks in the wall grew every single moment, filling the entire library with dust and thunderous


    sound. "Should we like. . . run?" wondered Rishi and kept the book back in its ce.


    "Moonlight!" said Rutuja as the wall split into two halves forming a pathway, which lead to what looked


    like a moonlit street. The wall began repairing itself. "Why is the gap closing?" wondered Rutuja as she


    got to her feet.


    "Maybe it''s because I kept the book back in its ce," guessed Rishi and pulled her towards the door.


    "No," she said and jerked his hand. "Dai Ma said your answers are here."


    "Yes, but-"


    Before Rishi couldplete his sentence, Rutuja grabbed the book in her hands and marched towards


    the opening. "Rutuja, no," said Rishi and grabbed her shoulders, pulling her back. "First at least-"


    C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    She gave him a slight push and turned to face him. "If you don''t want toe, then just don''t."


    Both of them looked into the eye of the other and raised their hand. Rishi threw his hands in front of


    him as though throwing an invisible. "Ou!" cried Rutuja as the book slipped from her hand and


    with your life."


    Rutuja struggled under his grip. Impair, she whispered in his ears. A tear slipped from her eye. Rishi''s


    grip loosened gradually. He closed his eyes, wobbling. "Ru-" That was all he could say before hey


    t on the ground.


    Rutuja wiped her tears and picked up the book. She swivelled and ran towards the opening, which


    closed after she stepped into it.


    "Rishi!" said Daksh and rushed towards him. He looked around and noticed the cracks in the wall


    repairing itself. Repair, he whispered in Rishi''s ear.


    Rishi woke up with a start, panting. "I don''t believe this!" he almost screamed.


    "What happened? Where''s Rutuja?" asked Daksh. "What''s with the noise and this wall."


    "That stupid book!" said Rishi and got to his feet. He exined to Daksh how Rutuja performed the


    immobilization spell on him and entered the hole in the wall.


    Daksh rushed towards the bookshelf and rummaged through the books. "There might be some other


    book that''ll lead us-"


    The boys fell to the ground as the wall split itself into two halves with a deafening sound. Rishi noticed


    the same moonlit street he had seen before. "Which book did you-"


    Daksh lifted a rose-coloured book in his hand. "Is that-"


    "Yes, this is the same opening, but where''s Ru?" said Rishi and took a few steps towards the wall.


    "Let''s find out," said Daksh and stepped into the opening. Rishi took a deep breath, nced at the


    bookshelf, and followed Daksh into the unknown moonlit ce.


    ~~~~~

 Chapter 41: Loads of Action

    Chapter 41: Loads of Action


    Advika covered her mouth with a mask and held Zarna''s hand, who was hugging her from the side.


    "Ma- Maya, do-n''t," stammered Advika. Maya advanced towards three women lying on the floor before


    them.


    The girls'' clothes were covered in blood, but it wasn''t theirs. Advika and Zarna dropped to their knees,


    their body shivering with fear.


    "It''s her," whispered Maya as she the face. "It''s the woman we came-" she stopped mid-sentence,


    "hang-on, she died years ago, how is the body so-"


    "AAAAA!!!" screamed the girls as one of those dead bodies opened its eyes and grabbed Maya''s neck.


    The other two disappeared.


    The woman''s appearance began to deface. The bright and sober face turned into an obnoxious,


    unpleasant one. Maya produced a small vial from her pocket and uncorked it. She threw the liquid on


    the woman''s face. Advika and Zarna rushed towards her as she fell into their arms.


    "Just ck magic," murmured Maya as she got to her feet. "They were no spirits, just illusion."


    "Is it possible to do something like this just with ck magic?" asked Zarna, wiping her tears. "Yes,"


    answered Maya. "I''ve helped solve many-"


    "Advika!" cried Zarna as shey t on her back on the wooden floor.


    Zarna kept Advika''s head on herp and looked at Maya. "Panic attack."


    "Zarna, can you-"


    "I don''t think so," said Zarna and pursed her lips. "I can influence water, not summon, or create."


    "Advika!" said Maya as she rubbed her foot and palms.


    The girls swivelled as they heard something being pulled against the floor. Zarna froze- her heart


    pulsating violently. She looked at Advika and shook her. "Advika, please get up!"


    The girls nced at each other as the noise be clearer every passing second. It felt like someone


    was dragging a steel hammer. But why? And who?


    "Okay," whispered Maya. "Don''t panic. You look after Advika I''ll-"


    "No, we''re staying together, no separating," dered Zarna.


    ~~~~~


    "Okay," said Ray. "So? What do we do now?"


    He got off the car and stared at the barrennd in front of them. Tej closed his eyes and pictured


    Advika. He swivelled and kept his hand on Ray''s shoulders. "I remember," he began. "Advika had once


    mentioned this technique called. . . I don''t remember, but she said you could find anything with it by


    your heart and intuition."


    "Great. How does that work?" asked Ray, his breath uneven.


    "So you picture the object, in our case person, and try to connect to them, through some energy they


    emit," Tej tried exining. "Then you ask like yes or no questions."


    "Okay, so, picture the girls and.... but if the heart is involved... just picture Advika, the technique might


    work better," said Ray and got into the driver''s seat.


    ~~~~~


    The sound of something being dragged ceased to exist. Zarna pointed in the direction of the door as


    the doorknob rotated. Maya got to her feet and took a step towards the door.


    "Maya," mouthed Zarna and held her leg. "AAAA!" Maya squealed. "You silly girl," she said. "Don''t


    catch my led like that, not in this setting at least."


    The door opened, revealing a silhouette carrying a steel rod. The person advanced towards the girls


    and lifted the rod in the air, ready to attack.


    "Nooooo!" screamed Zarna.


    "You!?" eximed Maya and the person carrying the rod.


    "What are you. . . How are you here? This is all. . .," bbered Zarna, with Advika''s head resting on her


    ~~~~


    "Stop!" said Tej and opened his eyes. "That''s Maya''s car, isn''t it?"


    "Yes, it is. Let''s get going," said Ray and got off the car. Tej followed. They marched towards the small


    hut. "But the door''s locked," said Ray as he tried turning the doorknob.


    "Advika! Maya! Zarna!" called the boys and banged their fists on the door. "Should we try to break in?"


    asked Ray. "That''s your department, go ahead," said Tej.


    ~~~~


    Rishi followed Daksh into the darkness, leaving behind the moonlit street that led them to this gloomy


    passage. "I knew it," said Rishi. "The moonlight was a trap. We''re dead if we don''t-"


    "AAAHHH!" they swivelled as they heard a scream. "Was that- no, no, that wasn''t. . ." said Daksh.


    "Yes, it wasn''t Ru, but some other girl," concluded Rishi. "More likely ady. We shouldn''t knock on that


    door."


    They stood in a long, narrow passageprising several doors, which could lead them to a ce or


    room they knew nothing about.


    Rishi looked around himself, scanning all the doors. The only source of light was the dim bulb


    suspended from the ceiling. "Which door would have Ru chosen?" he wondered. "And why?"


    "Rutuja! Rutuja!" called Daksh, going from one door to another. "Ru! Can you hear us? Where are


    you?" cried Rishi.


    Daksh closed his eyes and felt his heartbeat. "Rutuja," he whispered.


    ~~~~


    "Does not work," said Rishi as he handed the hairpin back to Tej. "By the way," he said as he got to his


    feet. "This is Advika''s, right?"


    Tej nodded his head and rushed towards the only window at the backside of the hut. Without a second


    thought, he ced both his hands on the thatched, closed window and closed his eyes.


    Ray nced at Tej, confused. He then looked at Maya''s car and rushed towards it.


    Tej felt the straws that were knit together to build the window. He visualized the heat from his body flow


    to his palms and then to the material the window was made up of.


    Ray broke the ss of the car and opened the door. He picked up the ck bag, water bottles, and


    other things he felt would prove helpful in the quest thaty ahead.


    The window caught fire. Tej stepped back, panting, his hands on his knees. "Brooo!" eximed Ray.


    "That was cool. No, actually hot."


    Tej swivelled and saw Ray carrying a huge ck bag on his back, water bottles, and two purses in his


    hand. "What-" he nced at Maya''s car. "You broke the ss!?"


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Yes, well, what option did I have," Ray defended. "We might need these things inside."


    Tej peeped inside the hut through the window. "Bro, let''s just go inside," said Ray.


    ~~~~~

 Chapter 42: Into the Trap

    Chapter 42: Into the Trap


    "How are you so sure?" asked Rishi as they stood before a giant grey door. "I just know," replied Daksh


    and kept his hands on the door. Rishi pressed his ears against it. "I do hear some chatter," he added.


    "Do you hear her?" asked Daksh. "I think I do," said Rishi. Daksh turned the doorknob.


    "No, wait!" said a voice from behind.


    ~~~~


    "You girls!?" said Rutuja as she threw the steel rod on the floor.


    "What are you doing here?" demanded Maya and crossed her arms.


    "I''m not answerable to you!" snarled Rutuja and looked around. How did the street lead me here and


    why? she thought. She nced at Advika. "Is she fine?"


    "No, she''s unconscious," replied Zarna.


    "As far as I''ve known," began Rutuja. "You have the element water. Why didn''t you-"


    "AaaHH!" screamed the girls as the door caught fire andy t on the ground; its hinges splintered


    across the room.


    They threw their hands up to shield themselves from the light and dust that now filled the room.


    "Advika!" said Tej and rushed towards her. He took her in his arms and hugged her. "Advika! What


    happened?"


    Maya and Zarna shook their head, recovering from the shock. "Panic attack," was all Zarna could say.


    She was shocked beyond words. She looked at Maya, who gave her an ''I don''t know too'' look.


    Ray sprinkled some water on Advika''s face and shook her. "Advika!" said Tej.


    Rutuja walked towards the shattered door and peeped outside. It was just another room with chairs,


    tables, and other essories. She marched towards the door in the room outside.


    "It''s locked!" said Ray and swivelled as Advika opened her eyes. "Advika, you okay?" said Tej and


    offered her some water. She coughed and nodded her head. She blinked several times before actually


    taking in her surroundings. She looked at Ray and Tej in disbelief and nced at the girls.


    "We tracked you girls," revealed Ray.


    Rutuja tried every trick she could to open the door but failed. She formed a ball of light and directed it


    towards the door.


    "Nothing will work! We already tried," said Ray. "How did she get here?"


    "We don''t know," answered Maya. "We''re shocked too."


    "And stuck too. Great job you guys," said Tej and patted Advika''s head. She realized she was leaning


    on him and moved away, getting to her feet. "You sure you''re fine?" he asked again. She nodded her


    head and took a deep breath.


    "How did you get here?" she asked as she stepped on the burnt door and advanced towards Rutuja.


    "What if I ask you the same?"


    "We came here looking for a woman. And you?" asked Advika, hoping she could get an answer.


    "Some book led me here," replied Rutuja and began pacing across the room, looking for a window or


    some opening that could get her out of here.C0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Advika walked towards her friends. "There''s no way out," said Ray. "Tej had to set that window on fire


    for us to get in."


    "Which window?" quizzed Rutuja and walked towards them into the other room. "I do not see any


    window here."


    "It literally turned into a solid wall after we jumped in," replied Ray.


    "Don''t worry. We''ll get out of here," assured Tej. "Than-"


    "I''m still mad," he said and lifted the ck bag Ray had kept on the floor. "Here''s all you got," he


    nced at Advika. "Might help us get out."


    "You broke the ss, didn''t you?" said Maya. Ray pursed his lips and nodded his head in a yes.


    Advika lifted her hand to unzip the bag but stopped as she nced at Rutuja. They had stolen the


    books and essories from the temple. And Advika knew that Rutuja was one of the guardians. She


    could not risk opening the bag in front of Rutuja. She looked at Maya and Zarna questioningly.


    ~~~~


    A girl came running towards Daksh and hugged him. "Daksh," she whispered. Rishi narrowed his eyes


    as he observed her. "Are you fine, Rutuja?" asked Daksh and hugged her back. "Yes," she murmured,


    sobbing. "We should find a way out," she said and lifted her head to look into his eyes. "Yes," said


    Daksh and nced at Rishi. Rishi shook his head and swivelled. "Aa. . . maybe we should try this do-"


    "No," said Rutuja. "I don''t think it''s safe. Let''s try that one,"


    she pointed at a bright blue door far at the end of the passage. "I don''t think-"


    "Okay," Daksh cut Rishi and advanced towards that door holding Rutuja''s hand. Rishi could not


    understand this. A few minutes ago, they were finding Rutuja, and now shees here and acts


    differently. Plus, Daksh does not follow instructions whatsoever. He stood there contemting over the


    "Daksh!!" screamed Rishi and ran towards them.


    The blue door opened. Several pale white hands pulled Daksh inside, and the door shut. Rutuja formed


    a ball of blue sparks and threw it in Rishi''s direction, who dodged it and hit the floor. She threw another


    ball of blue lightning energy that hit his chest. Hey there motionless as she opened the blue door and


    walked inside with a smile on her face.


    ~~~~


    Maya sat next to Advika. Zarna followed. "Let''s first examine this ce and then see how these books


    can help," said Maya and helped Advika ce the bag at one corner.


    "Let''s just-"


    "What brought you here anyway?" asked Ray.


    "We read about this woman," began Maya. "She was closely rted to these books and the elements."


    "What''s her name? Who is she?" asked Tej.


    The girls exchanged a nce. "That''s exactly why we are here," said Zarna. "Yes, we read a book in


    that library that told us the longitudes andtitudes of this woman-"


    "What!?" said Ray. "Come again?"


    "Yes, Ray, the location, there was this puzzle sort of thing, it gave a location, which we found. It led us


    here," said Advika.


    "And when did you do all this?" asked Tej and took a few steps in the other direction, inspecting the hut


    they were trapped in.


    Nobody answered. "Let''s first find a way out," said Ray a little louder so that even Rutuja heard him.


    "Then I''ll talk to you guyster."


    The girls knew Ray was upset, although it was out of his personality. Advika wanted to talk to him. Tell


    him and Ray both that they were important than this mission. That her still going after the books and


    the mystery did not mean that she did value their emotions. But she also knew that they were not in the


    right frame of mind. The first thing she had to do is get them all out of here.


    ~~~~

 Chapter 43: Who is the Prince?

    Chapter 43: Who is the Prince?


    "Rishi! Rishi!" Daksh said as he shook his body. "Daksh," Rishi woke up with a start and hugged him.


    Daksh was taken aback. He didn''t know how to react. Whether to push him off or to embrace him in


    return.


    Daksh patted Rishi''s back. "Yeah, I''m fine," was all he could say. "She wasn''t Ru," said Rishi. "Indeed,"


    said Daksh. "I knew that the moment I saw her."


    "But then you followed her," said Rishi, confused. "Yes," said Daksh and helped Rishi get to his feet. "I


    wanted to know her ns and who she really is."


    "So? What was in that room?" asked Rishi as they proceeded towards the grey door.


    "Dead people."


    Rishi stopped in his tracks and looked at Daksh in terror. "Yes," said Daksh and patted his shoulder.


    "But they didn''t know who they were messing with. Now let''s open this door."


    Rishi nodded his head and turned the knob.


    Tej stepped ahead and pulled Advika behind him. Ray did the same with Maya and Zarna.


    "You guys!?" eximed Rishi as they stepped inside the room and the door shut behind them. Rutuja


    came running and hugged Rishi. Daksh looked at the ground and smiled. "How? What are you-"


    "You thought I would leave you alone," said Rishi and pulled Rutuja in a tight embrace. "I''m sorry, I just


    wanted-"


    "What are you guys doing here? The five?" asked Daksh as he walked towards them.


    "We might ask you the same," said Tej and let go of Advika''s hand. "So you have decided-"


    "Guys," said Rishi. "Why not figure out a way together. This ce seems-"


    Advika stepped ahead and pulled Rutuja in time as the door shook violently, splitting into several


    pieces. They could see small bricks popping out of nowhere and covering the door.


    "It''s a trap," said Ray. "It wants us to stay and not escape."


    "Ru," said Rishi and examined her hands. "You okay?"


    She nodded her head as Advika went back to stand with her group. "Let''s find what we can," said


    Maya. "Guys," said Advika and signalled them toe closer. "Why don''t we talk and sort our


    differences with them. Tell them we mean no harm. We are not the bad guys."


    "They are the bad guys," said Zarna, stressing more on the word they.


    "No, we aren''t," replied Rishi and swivelled.


    Advika and Maya exchanged a nce. Was I that loud? thought Ray and looked at Rishi.


    "We are not the bad guys," said Rishi. "You are."


    "No, no, we aren''t," said Advika as she stepped ahead and advanced towards them. "See, the book


    chose us. We''re no thieves."


    "How do we know you''re not lying?" said Rishi.


    "You''re the one to talk?" said Maya and crossed her arms. "You guys broke in Tej''s house and attacked


    us."


    "That''s because you are meddling with things," said Rishi. Rutuja clutched his hand.


    "Meddling?" wondered Advika. "No, we were doing what Gran-" she stopped mid-sentence. She knew


    they did not trust them enough to reveal things, but she did not want to be enemies with either.


    The air in the room grew colder. They could smell something that resembled a rotten egg. Maya


    produced two lockets from her pocket and tied them on Tej''s and Ray''s wrists.


    "I suspect some evil spirit," said Maya and turned to look at the other three people standing opposite


    them. "Do you want any-"


    "No, thanks, we''re good. Nothing can touch us," said Rutuja. "Yeah, we don''t need lockets. Those are


    for kids like you," said Daksh.


    The floor shook and gave a loud rumble. Advika lost her bnce and fell to the ground along with


    Rutuja and Rishi.


    Daksh caught his neck and rolled his eyes. His feet gradually lifting from the ground. "Daksh," said


    Rutuja as some invisible power lifted him in the air. "Daksh!" cried Rishi as he tried getting a hold of his


    leg. "No," said Advika and pulled him behind.


    Zarna pointed at his eyes. They had turned into some different colours, half blue, half orange. "It


    Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    implies that he is possessed and will hurt you-"


    Rishi advanced further to get a hold of Daksh''s leg. "Aaah!" he whimpered as a blue lighting out of


    Daksh''s body threw him to the ground.


    "I told you it would hurt," said Maya, frustrated.


    "Wee to my Moon''s Land," said a voice. The room begun to fill will suttle moonlight. Rishi heard a


    p of thunder in the distance.


    They looked in all directions to unravel the source of the voice. It seemed to be echoing in the room.


    Advika looked at Daksh and then at her friends. Maya gave her a look that meant a big no.


    "But we are the good guys," whispered Zarna.


    Advika stomped her foot on the floor; the ground trembled. Maya nodded her head and spread her


    arms slightly, lifting herself in the air. Ray stepped forward and caught Daksh''s legs. He closed his eyes


    as he felt a tug of current pulsate through his body.


    "Rishi," said Advika. "If you could create a void-"


    Rishi nodded his head and swirled his hands in the air producing a ball of energy. He aimed it at Ray,


    engulfing him in the ball.


    Ray pulled Daksh with all the force he could apply. The invisible rope wrapped around Daksh''s neck


    tightened.


    "Daksh!" cried Rutuja. "You''re killing him."


    "Tej, Zarna," said Advika as they formed a ball of energies. Tej of fire, Zarna of water, and Advika of


    soil. They threw it at the rope as Maya took herself up to Daksh''s level and pushed him through the


    force of the air.


    Daksh fell to the ground with a thud. Ray and Maya fell on their back. Rishi rushed towards Daksh and


    gave him a hand. Tej and Zarna helped Ray and Maya get to their feet.


    "Very well, I must say," echoed the cold voice.


    "Doesn''t he sounds like the Joker?" said Ray as they stood in a circle. "Seriously, Ray," said Maya and


    took a few steps behind.


    "Daksh!" cried Rutuja. "Are you okay?"


    Daksh nodded his head, panting.


    "Maya," whispered Advika. "Do you remember Into the Clutches-"


    "Of the Evil book, yes, I do,"pleted Maya. "It said the only way out was in," murmured Advika.


    "Yes, guys," rustled Maya. "The only way out is listening to this voice and doing what he says. He


    needs to believe that we are weak and under his control."


    "Into the Clutches of the Evil, Ru," said Rishi. "Isn''t that the book from our library?"


    "Yes, why," whispered Rutuja. "What about it?"


    "Those guys are saying-"


    "What a pleasure to host you all," said the cold voice. "Such young talent."


    "Rishi," said Daksh limping. "Where is this voice exactlying from?"


    "From everywhere," he replied, scanning the entire room. "It seems it''s just his voice that''s here. Not


    him, neither his soul."


    "How is that possible?" said Rutuja as she nced at the ceiling. "That''s what you call some serious


    sorcery," said Rishi.


    "So now what?" said Rutuja. The boys looked at her, confused. They did not have a leader amongst


    themselves, but it was always Rutuja who led. She had always been clear on what her next steps


    should be.


    "Ru," began Rishi. "These people know a lot. Especially that Advika and Maya. It''s better to join hands-


    "


    "Are you crazy?" Daksh muttered under his breath.


    "Who are you?" asked Maya aloud.


    "The Prince. The Prince of the Moon Land" revealed the voice. "You call this a Moon Land?" said Maya


    and crossed her arms. "Easy, Maya," whispered Advika.


    Maya was a student of paranormal studies and also an intern at the most renowned paranormal studies


    institute in town. She did have experience dealing with such spirits. Advika, on the other hand, had a lot


    of theoretical knowledge about the field.

 Chapter 44: Who has Grantha?

    Chapter 44: Who has Grantha?


    "Maya," whispered Zarna and pulled her behind. "Don''t you think you are kind of provoking him?"


    "I know what I''m doing," she murmured.


    She stepped ahead and stood in the centre of the room. "What do you want from us?"


    "The book," said the Prince.


    Rutuja looked at the five. "Which book?" questioned Maya. "We don''t know what you''re talking about."


    The Prince chortled. "You know I''m talking about Grantha. There''s no need to pretend."


    "These people have the book," said Daksh and pointed at them. "No, we don''t," opposed Advika. "Do


    you see us carrying it?"


    Rutuja''s eyes fell on the ck bag lying in the corner of the room. She tiptoed towards Rishi and bend


    towards him. "What did you hear? Do they have books-"


    "Yes," murmured Rishi. "They do have a couple of books from the library I guess. Ru, we need to know


    what they know."


    Rutuja took a few steps towards Advika. "No, but we know you know where it is," she said and crossed


    her arms.


    "Guys," whispered Rishi and stepped in between the two groups formed. "Let''s not be enemies here at


    least. Let''s get out of here first, then we''ll-"


    "We don''t need them," protested Daksh. "Neither do we," said Tej and titled his head.


    "Okay, okay," interrupted Ray. "Let''s us get out of here first, then we can continue with our differences."


    "Exactly," added Rishi. "Let''s help each other, add our powers, and get out of the Prince''s clutches."


    "What is all the murmuring about!?" thundered the cold voice.


    "Lights. Camera. Action," said Daksh and marched towards Tej.


    "These people," he almost yelled. "They have been hiding the book from us."


    "Do you think we''d be stuck here with you if we had the book?" Tej yelled back at him.


    "We don''t know why you are here," Rutuja stepped in. "Nor do we," added Advika and slowly moved


    towards her bag kept in the corner. "I came here looking for clues for Grantha," said Rutuja. "You guys


    know where she is."


    "She is her own master," said Maya and crossed her arms. "She is not a ve. And besides," she


    slowly advanced towards the ck bag, not looking at it. "She knows right from wrong."


    "No, you stole her. You misused the powers-" began Rutuja.


    "Misuse?" opposed Zarna. "You''re the one to talk. I mean, you are the guys breaking into people''s


    house and-"


    "Enough!" thundered the cold voice. "I want the book. And you have 13 hours. Or else, you know the


    consequences."


    The roof of the hut caught fire and exploded. Tej pulled Advika and Ray aside, saving them from the


    burning shreds of the hut''s room. Maya uncapped the water bottles and threw the water in the air.


    Zarna whirled her hands in the air, creating a protectiveyer of water above them.


    Rishi created a void surrounding him and his friends. Rutuja saw Advika rush towards the ck bag


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    and doge a piece of burning thatch.


    "Advika!" cried Tej as she mounted the bag on her back. "Should we run now?" wondered Ray. "Yes,


    please, but watch the fire," said Maya and threw a ball of air towards the main door.


    "Zarna," said Advika and poured some water in her hands. Zarna closed her eyes as Rishi extended


    his circle of protection towards the five. "What are you doing?" quizzed Daksh. "He''s saving them so


    they can help us get out of here," whispered Rutuja.


    Zarna threw droplets of water in the air that came down as cloudbursts, extinguishing the fire. "Break


    the door. The spell has been uplifted by the Prince now," said Rutuja.


    Tej and Daksh kicked open the door.


    They sped towards their cars with drenched clothes. Advika sneezed. Ray turned to look at the three.


    "Need a lift?"


    "No, thanks," replied Rishi. "You can''t drop us where we live. It''s a secret that cannot be told."


    "Understandable," said Rishi and got into the driver''s seat. Maya headed towards her car, squeezing


    the water out of her top. Zarna followed.


    Tej took off the bag from Advika''s back and bent a little to reach her ear as he was much taller than her.


    "Come with us," he said and took her hand.


    "Wait," said Rutuja and walked towards Advika. "The Prince can reach us if he wants, or else, harm the


    ones we care about," she began. "Listen, we won''t give the book to him, but we need to n


    something together."


    "Together?" said Advika. The idea of working together with them dreaded her already. Also, Rutuja


    "Meet at the forest in an hour," said Tej and opened the car''s door for Advika.


    "Forest?" wondered Daksh. "Oh, please don''t pretend you don''t know," said Maya and revved the


    engine. "Let''s go," said Tej as he fixed his seatbelt.


    The three stood there waiting for their so-called enemies to get out of sight. "That was an excellent


    discovery. We found the secrets of the moon and Prince himself," said Daksh and turned to look at


    Rutuja.


    "Later," said Rishi and held Rutuja''s arm. "Home we go."


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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!