The Secrets of the Elements novel Chapter 29

Ray hit the break as they arrived at a bungalow. 'Patel House', read the fancy nameplate.

Advika, Zarna, and Maya stepped out of the car. "I'll pick Tej and come, 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 black 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 it comes in contact with negative energies," clarified Advika.

"It means that someone, some intruder, with bad intentions had been here," added Maya.

"Let's collect it before Tej comes," said Advika and removed a small glass 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."

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Something is not right, thought Rutuja as she observed Rishi who was playing 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 placed 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 slam 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 black night," said Dai Ma. "Tara could only save one."

"I couldn't save my sons, but I will protect you all till the last 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?"

Indra was showered with questions from Rishi and Rutuja.

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There was a loud crack and a strong smell of burnt ash and alcohol filled the air as they broke into a small hut.

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 glass 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 slammed the door. "Zarna!"

~~~~~~~~~~~

"There were three kings and three queens," said Indra as Rutuja kept the tray on the ground. It had five glasses filled with lime juice. She took two glasses, 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 Bhilangana. 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, Bhilangana 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 place 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, landing on Earth, where our ancestors were given the responsibility to protect the book, by the kings and queens."

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