The Elements

It had been almost a month since the five friends found each other and the book. They began this magical journey when Tej found this book in a library. He knew the book held some energy the moment he held it in his hands. Being a student of physics and with a deep interest in energies and the working of universe, Tej decided to approach four people whom he finds fit for this mission. Ray, his best friend was his first choice, Advika, the second, being a bookworm, Maya, a paranormal studies student, and lastly Zarna, a law student.

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Tej stood in the middle of the forest, near the enormous white rock. Maya and Ray sat cross-legged on the stone. Zarna was leaning against one of the trees. Advika sat on the ground with the book kept on her lap.

Tej took a few deep breaths. "Close your eyes," read Advika. Tej closed his eyes and clenched his fists. "Easy, Tej," she said and looked in the book. "Now, feel the air around you," she continued. Tej stood still for a brief moment, feeling the air pass by him. "Now, feel the energy, sense the heat around you, let your body be aware of it."

"Pay close attention to your heartbeat. Let your mind and body be aware of the blood that flows within your veins, and the energy associated with it."

"There flows an electric pulse in your veins. Feel it."

Zarna looked at her watch and then at the sky. Looks like it's going to thunder, she thought.

"Spread your arms and embrace the energy."

Tej spread his arms in the air, feeling the heat in the surrounding. Advika could see his face glow. He let out a sign and fell on his knees, opening his eyes. "Tej," said Zarna and rushed towards him. Advika followed as Ray and Maya jumped from the rock.

"Ouch!" said Zarna as she removed her hand from his shoulder. "You're hot," said Ray and winked. "My Gosh! Tej, you're burning," said Maya and looked at Advika. "Tej, calm down, guys, move aside," she said.

Everyone took a few steps back except Zarna. 

"Zarna, no," said Advika as Zarna lifted her hands and kept it on Tej's shoulders. She pursed her lips, closing her eyes; a tear slid from her eye. 

"What is she trying to do?" asked Ray. 

"Calm him. She's water," said Advika. "Oh, ya, right," said Ray. "But won't that hurt her?"

"It will, fire and water aren't friends," said Maya as she turned the pages of the book. "If you're finding a way to calm him down, the book hasn't revealed it yet," said Advika. Maya shut the book and kept it on the ground.

Advika picked up the book and rummaged through its pages. "Someone just said that the book hasn't revealed anything," said Maya and crossed her arms. 

"Zarna," said Advika as she stopped at a page. "Feel the moisture in the air," she began. "Feel the cold breeze, be aware of it, be one with it. You have the power within you. Believe."

Zarna felt a tingling sensation run all over her body. She had goosebumps; the pink of her cheeks grew white. The air around her grew dense and cold. 

Advika's eyes fell on the dew on the grass. Ray rubbed his palms and looked at the sky. The dark clouds drifted and released a sudden drizzle.

"Now imagine you're transferring this energy to Tej," said Advika as she closed the book. "Imagine, you have transferred this calm, cold wind's energy to him."

Zarna put her head down; her hands rested on Tej's shoulders. The air around them grew damp and cold.

Tej opened his eyes after a brief moment. "Thanks," he said in a quiet, breathy voice. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead and he mopped it away with his forearm. 

"Are you guys okay?" asked Ray as he took a step forward towards them. Tej nodded his head and lay on his back. Zarna sat cross-legged on the ground and closed her eyes.

Advika sat beside her. "I think we're done for today," she said. "You guys should take rest," added Maya as she sat beside Tej. Tej held Ray's hand and sat upright. "It's difficult to handle that kind of energy," he said. "Your body's still warm," said Ray.

Advika touched his forehead with the back of her palm. She kept her hand on Zarna's hand. "Both of them have the same body temperature," she said. "Energy transfer," added Maya.

"But the rest of us didn't practice," said Ray and glanced at Advika. "The book doesn't tell us much about Sky, Earth, and Air," said Advika as Maya flipped through the pages of the book. "Air it does, a bit," said Maya. "You could try that, I'll join you," said Ray and got up dusting his blue jeans.

Maya sat cross-legged and joined her hands. Ray held the book in his hands and read aloud as the others closed their eyes. 

"Calm your senses by removing all the unwanted and negative thoughts from your mind. Do not pay attention to the thoughts. Watch it like an audience. It will pass away. Breathe."

Advika could hear the rustling of the leaves and a low sound which felt like music. Maya felt the air touch her skin; she had goosebumps. The weather grew sombre as the dark clouds covered the forest. There was pin-drop silence. Tej could feel the tension in his muscles. 

Ray glanced at the sky for a moment and continued reading.

"Feel the energy around you. The elements that surround you reside in your body as well. Feel the blood flow through your veins, the pulse, your heartbeat, be aware of yourself and your surrounding."

Maya spread her arms as though embracing the wind. She felt the energy it held. Her hands were numb and felt heavy; it felt like she had placed her hands in flowing water. She clenched her fists. 

Advika rushed towards her as she fell in her arms. "Maya, Maya," said Zarna and looked around; her eyes scanning the forest. "Here," said Ray as he handed her a water bottle. 

Zarna sprinkled some water on Maya's face. Advika shook her. "Maya, Maya, open your eyes," she said with a lump in her throat.

"Relax, Advika," said Tej. "She'll take some time to get normal."

"It's gonna be 4," said Ray. "We should be leaving. Adu, keep the book back on the stone," said Zarna. 

Advika nodded her head and rushed towards the stone with the book in her hand. 

"Let's go," said Tej as he carried Maya in his arms. 

"Tej, there's nobody at my house, we can't take Maya like this to her house. Let's go to my place," said Ray. "Yes, that's right. What will we say to her parents?" added Zarna as they walked towards the opening of the forest, followed by Advika.