The Secrets of the Elements

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 become their meeting place 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. Zarna lay down on the bed,

almost in the mood to sleep. novelbin

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 placed a tray on the table. It had five plates in it with a sandwich

and some chips each.

"Hi, aunt Swarna," they chirped.

"How are you guys doing?" she asked and handed over a plate to Ray.

"Fabulous, as always," said Ray and took the plate 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 plate. 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 glared 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 place, it

was evil, good powers don't work in such evil places."

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 particular place to protect it from the intruders," explained 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,"

elaborated 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 become 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 plate," said Advika. Maya giggled and nodded her head.

"Reason no.1 of you being single," added Zarna. The girls burst into a laugh.

"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 clatter of glass breaking.

"Aahh!" the girls screamed.

~~~~~