Rescue Mission
883 Words
"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 fidgeting 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 glass.
The small cottage perched on the plain near the woods, so old and poor that it was surprising how it was still standing. And yet it seemed alive and welcoming, 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 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 clapped. 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.
~~~~~~~
Advika hid her face with her scarf and came out from her hiding place. "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 black 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 glanced 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 Indra comes to know that he's missing."
- Writer
