DIVINE CHAMPIONS 3: THE RISE OF THE ELEMENTALIST

RICK BRINGS TRAINING DUMMIES

"What?" Aitri asked her mother, "How much did he tell you?"

"That you are now like Rishi, and Rick, all magical and everything?" She answered.

"I haven't exactly been able to wrap my head around it, and you got to know. How are you taking it?"

"Pretty well."

"Good. I don't think Rishi took it too well."

"Oh, no no. If you meant that way, I am not. You are not getting involved in this."

"What? Mom?" Aitri sat up, "The world is in danger."

"And it won't hurt those gods to save it themselves. They are more than enough in numbers. They can manage. You are staying here, going to college, completing your education. I am not losing another child of mine."

"If I don't go, you'll definitely lose one." Aitri said, her mind totally boiling with anger for her boyfriend.

"Quiet!" Aitri's Mom shouted, "How dare you speak of such things? Get freshened, and get ready for college."

So, Aitri let go of the topic. She knew how scared she was. She also knew how staunch she could be. Her voice had that finality, something Aitri had inherited from her. But yet, her Mom was still the boss, and had to be listened to. Aitri got out of the bed, freshened up, and turned the geyser on. While she sat with her parents to have a cup of coffee, she called Rishi. 

It took Rishi some time to pick up her call. When he did, he just said, "We will discuss this in the evening. In Rick's house. I'll pick you up at six." And he hung up. Well, that was really weird. Rishi never talked this less when he called Aitri. He never ever had not let Aitri speak in their conversation. Something was up. But what was it? And what about this meeting in Rick's place? 

The day in college was just as it had been for quite a while now, boring. Aitri had made good friends with Rick and Rishi around, but now, all of them had passed out, and the college had become lonely for her. Aitri did have feelings though, today. She could feel the air around her better. She could hear the water in the college's fountain better. She felt as if tiny chunks of soil flew with her. It was as if she felt the nature within herself. Her boring day was put out of its misery when she finished her lab work on the slides of Lactobacillus and noted down her observation. Her instructor, Dr. Gagan Mehra gave her the appreciative nod, and asked her to take off for the day. Aitri felt relieved. She checked her watch. It was four thirty. She took out her phone, and messaged Rishi, "Don't bother picking me up. I will get to Rick's myself. See you there." About a second later, Rishi's reply came, "Alright. Love you!" Those two words melted Aitri a little, who was mad and curious about Rishi acting all weird. She texted back, "Love you too."

As soon as she reached Rick's house, she was welcomed by Meghna with a very very excited face. "Aitri!" She ran at her, and held her hands, and said, "You are one of them now! I can't believe it!"

"Eh," Rishi came from inside, "before anything, we really need to check her powers. Did you try anything?"

"No." Aitri said, "I felt a few things, but I didn't try using any sort of power."

"What did you feel?"

"You know, as if the air around me is changing pace, talking, shrieking in my ears at times, the soil was making its way for me or something. I don't know. I am new to all this."

"And that is what is worrying me." Rishi said, mostly to himself. 

"I can learn, right?"

"You surely can, but do we have time?" Rishi said, "If you are chosen, that means something evil is lurking. Let's wait till Rick gets back. Then, we can discuss."

"Okay." Aitri sat down, as Meghna kept looking out the door. As Rishi went inside to ask the kitchen about some beverages (Rishi had that kind of rights in this house), Aitri asked Meghna, "What are you looking at, Maggie?"

"Uh, nothing."

"And why do you look worried?"

"I don't." Meghna looked away.

"Don't you?" Aitri rolled her eyes, and made eye contact.

"No." Meghna looked into her phone, "Yes."

"Why are you worried?"

"Rick was supposed to come half an hour ago. He still isn't here."

"There it is." Aitri said, planning to taunt her best friend, "Girl, why are you so worried about Rick?" Aitri was witness how Meghna called her childhood friend, as well as, boss 'condescending at times'. And yet, she was worried about that condescending guy.

"Well, he gives me my paycheck, doesn't he?"

"Is it only that?" Aitri asked.

"Yes, it is."

"Okay!" Aitri suppressed a laugh. It all seemed better for her. Rishi seemed alright with her being chosen, and ready to let her learn, but needed to be quick, as something was probably approaching. Perhaps, he needed time to wrap his head around it all. Now that he had it, he was fine. Perhaps.

Suddenly, there was a voice. Rick's voice. "Rishi!" Meghna ran outside, Aitri followed her. Rick was there, running. "Where did he go?" Aitri asked. "For a walk." Meghna answered, "But why is he running as if he has seen a ghost?"

Then, the scene made sense. Rick was running towards his house, and behind him, at least, twenty people. No, not people. Skeletons. They had the worst get-ups. Skeletal body, glowing blue eyes, weird horned helmets covering their faces, if that qualified as faces. Weird skirts covering their bodies, and curved and bent swords in hand, all of which were raised. "What are those?" Aitri asked.

"Draugr, the Norse undead." Rick said, "I brought the party here. Thought you two could have some practice."

"You brought that for practice?" Aitri asked, her hands on her head.

"Couldn't find the Midgard Serpent, actually didn't even find these. They found me." Rick said, casually, while swirling his hands, and calling for Rishi.