The Secrets of the Elements

Chapter 16: Tej Attacked Advika?

"Okay so," said Advika as the five friends - Rey, Zarna, Tej, Advika, and Maya sat in a circle. "Hold

hands," she said. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

It's the first time Tej ever held Advika's hand. He felt ecstatic and tried hard to suppress his smile. Ray

knew what was going on in his friend's mind. "We need to concentrate on this," he said. "That goes

without saying," added Maya. "To begin with," said Advika. "We need to feel our energy, and then other

energies, as in, first I'll feel my energy, then connect to you all."

"Aye, aye, captain," said Ray and smiled.

They closed their eyes and focussed on their breath for a brief moment. It felt like an eternity to Zarna,

who was already being restless. She straightened her back and brought her focus back.

Advika felt something tug at her core. Tej sensed energy radiate from his body; Maya's hands went

cold. Ray felt lighter, whereas Zarna felt all-powerful.

Maya felt a gust of wind surround her; she opened her eyes at once. "Guys," she said. "The book," said

Advika as the others opened their eyes. Zarna picked up the book and scanned it. "This is not our

book," she said and passed it to Advika. Advika examined it and gave it to Maya. "Then which book

have we summoned?" wondered Ray as he held the book in his hands.

The book had a dark black cover with some words scribbled on it in some foreign language. It was

heavy and had an unusual shine. It had a golden lock with the key missing.

"What is this language?" questioned Ray. Maya and Advika exchanged a glance. "Arabic," said Advika.

"Show the book," said Maya and kept her hand on the words inscribed in gold. "A, Z, A, Z, E, L," she

translated the letters. "Azazel," said Advika.

A gust of cold wind encircled them; the lights went off. Advika held Tej's hand. He held her hand and

turned on the flashlight of his phone. "Relax, everyone," he said. A black mist began to emanate from

the book. Maya flinched. "Advika... this is..."

"The water, the holy water," stuttered Advika; her hand shaking, body shivering.

Maya nodded her head and removed a small glass vial from her pocket. "Quick," said Advika. Maya

began to shiver; the vial slipped from her hand and broke. The water spill half on the ground and a half

on the book.

Tej twisted Advika's hand. "Aah," she cried. "Tej, leave her hand," Ray almost screamed. Zarna

grasped Ray's arm as Tej looked up. His red eyes sent a shiver down her spine. Advika kept her other

hand on Tej's head chanting some mantras. Maya followed. "Ray, hold his hands," said Zarna as Tej

pushed Maya and dragged Advika towards the mirror in the room. "Catch him," said Maya and ran after

them.

Ray, Zarna, and Maya held his hand. Maya kept her right hand on his head chanting some mantras. Tej

was too strong for all of them. His face turned pale and lips dry. Advika cried as he slammed her hand

on the mirror. The mirror shattered into pieces. "Aaah," cried Advika and cupped her mouth; blood

oozing from her hand. "Tej," screamed Ray.

Zarna rushed to the black book and kept the book where the vial had broken. The book absorbed the

water; the black began to disappear.

Tej's grip on Advika's hand slackened, he left her hand, collapsing on the floor. "Tej," said Advika with

tears in her eyes. Ray sped towards the wardrobe and fetched a first aid box.

"Give it to me," said Zarna and motioned him to look after Tej.

Maya helped Ray lay Tej on the bed. Zarna tied a bandage on Advika's hand. "Feeling better?" she

asked. "Yes," she said and went near Tej. Zarna followed. "Do you want a pain killer or something?"

asked Ray. "No, I'm fine," assured Advika and sat near Tej. She placed her hand on his forehead and

closed her eyes.

"What is she trying to do?" whispered Zarna. "Trying to wave off the evil," said Maya. Ray sat on the

ground and cleaned the blood off it. "Careful with the glass," said Maya. "Aunty shouldn't know about

it," said Advika as she opened her eyes. "But your hand and the glass," said Zarna. "We'll cover up

everything," said Advika.

Ray threw the pieces of glass in the dustbin.

Tej woke up with a start. Ray sped towards him. "Tej," he said. "Are you fine? Do you recognize us?"

"Let him come to senses first," said Maya and pour water in a glass kept on the study table. Tej looked

around him, discerning the surrounding.

"What did I do?" he asked looking at his friends. "Nothing," lied Advika. "It wasn't you, Tej," said Maya

and sat at the foot of the bed. "Is it necessary we tell it to him now?" asked Advika. Tej's eyes fell on

her hand. He opened his mouth to say something but stopped and looked at Ray. "It wasn't you, it was

the black mist, the evil powers," said Advika.

"The book," said Zarna as they remembered about it. "It vanished," she said scanning the room.

"Black mist. Legend has it these mist manipulate you and turn you into something you're not," said

Advika. "We have read about it from the books in the library," added Maya. "How many times did you

go there?" wondered Ray. "Quite a few times," said Maya. "But that's not important."

"I'm sorry," said Tej and held Advika's hand. "Tej, it wasn't you, you were bewitched," she said. A tear

slid from his eye. Ray squeezed his friend's shoulders. "Dude, don't feel guilty, you know you can never

hurt anyone of us," he consoled.

"I think you should rest we'll discuss this later," suggested Zarna. Maya agreed. "Let's go to the other

room and sleep," she said. "Come soon, Advika," said Zarna and left the room with Maya. "I'll get

something to eat," said Ray. "Ray, coffee please," said Advika. "Sure," he said and headed towards the

kitchen downstairs.

"Advika," said Tej. "I'm sorry, I can never hurt you, not even in my dreams."

"I know," said Advika and held his hand. Tej examined her bandage. "Why didn't you defend yourself,

why did you..."

"I knew that was not my Te-... I mean I knew it wasn't you," she said and looked down. Tej smiled. Did

she just say my Tej? he wondered.

"Don't think about it now, we'll talk in the morn-"

"Coffee," said Ray as he entered the bedroom. "That was quick," said Advika and took the cup. "Hot

coffee?" she said. "I wanted cold coffee, you know it's my favourite," she said. "It's cold outside," said

Tej. "Cold coffee is not good for you, you'll fall sick," said Tej and sipped the coffee. "Exactly," added

Ray and sat beside Tej.

"Hi," said Maya as she entered the room with Zarna. "We didn't feel like sleeping," said Zarna and sat

on the bean bag. Maya pulled the chair near the study table and sat on it. "Should I make coffee for you

guys too?" asked Ray. "No, it's alright," said the girls in unison.

"Advika," said Maya. "Do you remember that story about King Himaqat?"

"Oh yes, how could I forget?" said Advika and kept the cup of coffee on the bed. "So guys, there was

this King named Himakaq, he with his subjects tried summoning some book. It is believed that there

was this book called Shaktigranth, it had powers, it could make you invincible with the knowledge it

contained."

"King Himaqat tried summoning it like we tried summoning the book," added Maya. "He by mistake

called the evil book, which was the twin of the book Shaktigranth."

"Wow, even books have twins," said Ray in amazement.

"What happened after that?" asked Tej.

"The other book, which was evil, took their souls away," said Advika. "It is believed that they are still

trapped in that book," added Advika.

"Still trapped? As in, this moment, they are trapped in the book?" asked Ray.

"Yes, nobody knows where the book is right now, it's been years, centuries now," said Maya.

"But Tej was attacked, like bewitched," said Zarna. "Maybe this book wasn't that powerful," guessed

Advika and sipped the coffee.

"I agree it depends on the power of the book and its intention," said Maya.

"We almost forgot about that name, Azazel," said Ray. "The book had this name," he remarked and

looked at Advika and Maya, expecting that they would know something about this name too.

"I've heard this name for the first time," said Maya. "Azazel, according to Jewish Legends, is a demon

or evil spirit," said Advika and kept the coffee mug on the lamp table beside the bed. "So? It means the

book, is he the owner of the book, the master?" questioned Tej. "Quite possible," said Advika.

"So what should be our next step?" wondered Zarna.

"Stepping out is not safe, going to the barren land is not safe," concluded Advika. "Yes, of course,

practising in the four walls is so safe," said Maya and crossed her arms smiling. Advika looked at her

injured hand and pursed her lips.

"We should first protect ourselves," said Maya. "I know a ritual you might be knowing about it too,

Advika."

Advika nodded her head in a yes. "Drawing the protection circle," she said.

"Right, I'm sorry I should have done this before but better late than never," said Maya and got up from

the chair. "No need to apologize, we all make mistakes, plus you didn't know that Tej would attack-"

"Zarna," Advika cut Zarna mid-sentence. "Sorry, I mean you didn't know we'd be bewitched," covered

up Zarna.

"Okay guys, night night, see you all in the morning," said Maya and left the room. Zarna followed.

Advika squeezed Tej's hands. "Take care, don't think too much," she said and smiled. "Remember it's

my job."