The Secrets of the Elements novel Chapter 43

"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 plans 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!?" exclaimed 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 place 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 to come 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 glance. 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 balance 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 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 light coming out of Daksh's body threw him to the ground.

"I told you it would hurt," said Maya, frustrated.

"Welcome to my Moon's Land," said a voice. The room begun to fill will suttle moonlight. Rishi heard a clap 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," completed 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 exactly coming 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 glanced 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.