The Secrets of the Elements novel Chapter 22

"Where are we?" said Rutuja as she got up from the rugged ground.

Rishi looked at the black leaves hanging from the timid trees that surrounded them. He dusted the wet mud from his hands and jeans. The twigs crunched under their feet.

Daksh scanned the place.

The trees were malady-brown. The musty air was difficult to breathe.

They stood in the middle of an umber-brown ancient forest. It reeked of age. Every sprawling tree they passed through reminded them of a watchful guardian.

"Why do I feel like these trees are staring at me?" Rutuja whispered as they walked through the forest.

"It feels like a different dimension," said Rishi as he jumped, escaping a ditch in his way.

The further they went, the more mystical and spellbinding it became.

They arrived at a wide glade, where the trees began to disappear, revealing the bespeckled sky.

"Wherever we are," said Rutuja. "We need to get back home."

"Daksh, the ring can help," said Rishi. His eyes fell on his reflection in the water. He closed his eyes at once and stepped back.

Daksh tossed the ring in the air.

"No, that's not possible," he said as it hit the ground.

"Nothing happened?" said Rutuja bemused.

"Try it again," said Rishi, his eyes scanning the forest.

Daksh, once again, threw the ring in the air.

The wind caused ripples in the glade, the atmosphere turning ice cold. The green leaves began to turn black and froze.

The ring hit the ground, spinning in its place.

"Impossible," said Daksh.

"This was supposed to transport us to the portal," said Rutuja rubbing her arms.

Daksh removed his jacket and placed it around Rutuja's shoulders.

"Thanks," she murmured.

"Rishi, what are you doing?" she asked, turning to him.

Rishi opened his eyes. "Calling Master Indra for help."

"What!? No," said Daksh and took a step towards Rishi. "We can't tell him about the five, yet, he'll ground us, we'll be locked in that cottage forever."

"You got any better ideas?" asked Rishi.

"Daksh, we'll think of an excuse later, but now we need to get out of here," said Rutuja and held his arm.

Rishi pushed Rutuja and Daksh aside as a wolf jumped in their direction. He removed a dagger from the inside of his jacket and slashed the animal on his steel grey claws.

"Rishi!" cried Rutuja.

"Rutuja, careful," said Daksh as roots began to crawl from beneath the ground, surrounding her.

"Daksh!" screamed Rutuja.

Four black paws, now red, stood firm to the Earth's soil, the beast lowered its head while its ember eyes watched every move of its victim. Blood oozed out from Daksh's shoulders.

"Aaahh," screamed Rutuja as thorns stemming from the branches, pierced her skin.

~~~~

"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.

~~~~~