The Secrets of the Elements

King Himaqat

"Oh, yes! How could I possibly forget?" Advika exclaimed, momentarily setting down her cup of coffee on the bed. A glimmer of excitement danced in her eyes as she prepared to share the tale.

 My Smarty Spark, Tej thought.

"Listen," she began, beckoning her friends closer. "There once was a formidable King named Himaqat, who, along with his devoted subjects, embarked on a quest to summon a mysterious book. This legendary tome was known as the Shaktigrantha, said to possess unimaginable powers and harbouring knowledge that could render one invincible."

The room fell into a hushed silence. The allure of such a powerful artefact captivated their imaginations.

"Similar to our attempt to summon the book, King Himaqat tried to call forth the Shaktigrantha," Maya contributed, her voice filled with intrigue. "However, he inadvertently summoned its malevolent twin, the evil book."

Ray's eyes widened in awe. "It's incredible to think that even books can have twins," he marveled, clearly amazed by the notion.

Tej leaned in, eager to hear more. "What happened next?" he inquired, captivated by the unfolding story.

Advika took a moment, her expression turning somber as she continued. "The moment the evil book materialized, it seized their souls," she revealed, her voice tinged with a hint of sorrow. "Legend has it that they remain trapped within its dark pages, their spirits ensnared, never finding release."

A palpable sense of mystery and sadness settled in the room as Advika's words hung in the air. The thought of souls forever entwined within the clutches of an ominous tome evoked a mix of fascination and a chilling sense of fate.

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

"Yes, it's true. The whereabouts of the book remain a mystery, lost in the depths of time for years, even centuries," Maya added, her voice filled with a sense of wonder and intrigue.

Zarna interjected, drawing a connection to Tej's recent encounter. "But Tej was attacked, as if under a bewitching spell. Perhaps the book wasn't as powerful as it was believed to be. If this was the evil twin, why didn't it take away our souls?"

Advika pondered the thought, taking a thoughtful sip of her coffee. "You may be right. This can't be the evil twin book," she mused. "It could be that the book's power depends on its intentions and the strength it holds within."

Maya nodded in agreement, her expression contemplative. "Exactly. The true power of a book lies in its purpose and the intentions behind its creation."

Advika's eyes sparkled with a hint of surprise. "I'm genuinely amazed that the book actually appeared before us. Even though it wasn't the evil one, but it was something similar," she admitted, a sense of humility in her voice. "Especially considering we're just beginners, exploring our own budding powers."

Zarna chimed in, her voice carrying a hint of confidence. "But we do possess powers, and perhaps that's why things seem to work with us. Our innate abilities may be playing a role in our interactions with the supernatural."

"We almost forgot about the name Azazel," Ray interjected, a hint of realization in his voice. "That was the name associated with the book."

Ray glanced at Advika and Maya, hoping they would shed some light on the matter. "Do you two know anything about this name?"

Maya shook her head. "Honestly, this is the first time I'm hearing that name," she admitted, her curiosity piqued.

Advika paused, her expression thoughtful. "Azazel, as per Jewish legends, is believed to be a demon or an evil spirit," she shared, her tone carrying a tinge of caution. Placing the coffee mug carefully on the lamp table beside the bed, she emphasized the potential significance of the name.

Tej's brows furrowed as he processed the information. "So, does that mean Azazel is the owner of the book, the master behind it all?" he questioned, seeking further clarification.

Advika considered the possibility. "It's quite possible," she responded, her voice laced with a mixture of intrigue and concern.

Zarna, feeling a sense of urgency, posed a crucial question. "Given all that we've discovered, what should be our next step?" she wondered aloud, eager to determine their path forward in the face of these extraordinary circumstances.