The Secrets of the Elements

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

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," said Advika with tears in her

Zarna and

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,

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

pieces of

towards him. "Tej,"

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

it to him now?" asked Advika. Tej's eyes fell on her hand. He

as they remembered about it. "It vanished," she said

have read about it from the books in the library,"

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

"Let's go to the other room and sleep," she said. "Come soon, Advika," said Zarna and left the

can never hurt you, not even in

said Advika and held his hand. Tej examined her bandage. "Why

mean I knew it wasn't you," she said and looked down. Tej smiled.

it now, we'll

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

pulled the chair near the study table and sat on it. "Should I make

you remember that

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

the book," added Maya. "He

have twins,"

after