The Secrets of the Elements

The Picture in the Bowl

"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, who lay 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 his lap.

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 placed 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, the last time we were almost choked to death," added Zarna.

"But the sound, the music is coming 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 pillars 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 air coming 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, landing on the hard wooden ground, alongside Rishi.

~~~~~

Maya walked towards the stone table in the secret underground room. She looked at her reflection in the water of the golden glass bowl.

"The sound isn't coming from the water," said Advika and rubbed the sand off the stone table.

Zarna touched the music syllables 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 circular 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 glass bowl.

"Advika," said Maya. "Are you planning on-"

"Yes," said Advika and closed her eyes, taking a deep breathe in.

"Planning 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 research lately."

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 flashlights of their phones flickered. The rope caught fire.

"Move," said Zarna and pulled Ray behind.

Advika opened her eyes and swivelled.

"No, no, Advika, complete 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 circular motion, forming a whirlwind within.

Advika stepped back at once. She kept her hand on her chest and took a deep breath. "Relax, relax, everything is fine," she murmured.

Maya spun her hands in a circular 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.

"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 a last look to the picture in the bowl, smiling.