The Secrets of the Elements

Daksh's Plan

Advika flung herself onto the bed and closed her eyes, savoring a moment of rest.

Her phone chimed with a message.

It was Tej.

"Hello, Tej, everything alright? You just dropped me off at home," she said, stepping in front of the mirror, and fidgeting with her hair.

"Yeah," Tej responded. "You left your hairpin in my car, again," he mentioned, twirling the hairpin in his fingers.

"Oh, I... I'll grab it next time we meet," she replied. 

"Alright, yeah, I'll hold onto it... for you," he murmured, gazing at the hairpin. 

"Okay, bye," she said.

"Man, what's going on with you?" Tej mumbled to himself as he strolled towards the door of his house.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"This is the magical bowl, Master Daksh," said the old man leaning on his stick.

Daksh proceeded toward a stone table adorned with intricate carvings, where a delicate golden bowl, brimming with pristine water, rested. As he drew nearer, Daksh's own reflection glistened on the water's surface, revealing his contemplative expression. 

"I don't know the exact method to invoke its powers," said the old man and adjusted his round spectacles. 

"That I'll find out," said Daksh and turned to face the old man. "The next time the five come here, don't let them escape," he gritted at the old man and walked out of the room. He ascended the steps leading to the womb chamber of the temple. It was a secret basement known only to the old man and Daksh.

The old man climbed the stairs slowly, one by one. Daksh let out a sigh. "Could you hurry up!" he yelled.

~~~~~~~~~~

"It's been almost a week since that temple incident," Maya stated as she sat on the bean bag, holding a cup of green tea.

They all had gathered at Ray's house as his parents were out of town.

"I hope that old man doesn't remember anything about that night," Zarna muttered, biting into her sandwich. 

Advika sipped her coffee and rested her head on the pillow. "We have to be careful," she said.

"We'll go with full planning this time," said Ray playing with a basketball.

"Getting out at night, I mean, sneaking out of the house at night is a task," Advika added as she picked up some chips from the glass bowls. 

Ray took a handful of chips and shoved them into his lips. 

"That's why you don't have a girlfriend," Maya remarked as she sipped her green tea.

"As if you have a dozen boyfriends," Ray replied, his mouth full of chips.

"Okay, guys," Tej interjected. "How about we go tomorrow night?" If everyone is fine with it."

"Cool!" said Maya. 

"I'm in," added Zarna. 

"Always ready," said Ray. 

"Ya, no problem," said Advika.

"So, the first thing we do is find out the source of that music," said Maya. 

"We should," said Tej. 

"Yes," added Zarna. "Maybe it will lead us to something important."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Next Night

Daksh couldn't help but smirk as he concealed himself amidst the lush foliage, closely monitoring the sleek black vehicle as it came to a halt.