The Secrets of the Elements

"Kinds and Queens?" wondered Maya as she tied her curly hair into a bun.

"But what I asked was different," said Advika and leaned on the pillow.

Tej's house had become their meeting place since the attack. All their meetings were held in his bedroom.

Ray sat on the floor and leaned against the bean bag closing his eyes.

"Was there something else you noticed?" asked Tej and sat next to Ray. Zarna lay down on the bed, almost in the mood to sleep.

Maya, on the other hand, paced across the room.

"Colors," said Advika.

There was a knock on the door. Maya opened the door with a smile.

Advika got down from the bed and went to help Maya and Swarna with the coffee mugs.

"Hello, children," said Swarna as she placed a tray on the table. It had five plates in it with a sandwich and some chips each.

"Hi, aunt Swarna," they chirped.

"How are you guys doing?" she asked and handed over a plate to Ray.

"Fabulous, as always," said Ray and took the plate sitting upright.

"What happened to your hand?" she asked and examined Ray's hand which was covered with his handkerchief.

"Nothing really," he replied and smiled.

"How's your new project going, aunt," asked Zarna, changing the topic.

"Oh, wonderful. There are challenges, but what's life without some adventure," she replied and smiled.

"I agree," said Maya and took a sip of the green tea.

"Did you get hurt too?" said Swarna and advanced towards Advika who was standing near the bean bag holding a coffee mug.

toe. Swarna touched Advika's forehead. "Ouch!" she said

fine?" said Tej as he got up keeping the sandwich back on the plate. Swarna smiled at him and

hit my head somewhere,"

she said and kept her hand on Advika's head.

~~~~

Ma helped him sit straight on the small

the room, leaning on the wall, staring

him; tears streaming from

put his

turned his head to

back," said Dai

direction of the bed and stood

and kept her

are you?" said Daksh

"You wish," said Rishi.

said Rutuja and glared at both of

Rutu's ring work on you?" asked

"Ring?" quizzed Rishi.

heals wounds, and can

said Rishi and closed his eyes touching his forehead. "Maybe because of that place, it was evil, good powers don't work in such

looked at Rishi and nodded his head. "I'll see you guys

~~~~

then who stopped us in the temple there?"

put

in?" asked Ray and took a big bite of

to protect it from the

charms like, are like a hurdle in the

case, us,

show us as Kings and Queens?"

said Advika and sipped the coffee.

a crown of flowers and gems, something close to nature,

my crown like?"

wore a Diadem," said Advika. "Badge of