DIVINE CHAMPIONS 3: THE RISE OF THE ELEMENTALIST

SAMAR DWIP

When Aitri got into Rick's private plane, she felt like she was seeing legend coming true. All the time till then, she had only heard stories of the plane, from both Rishi and Meghna. But never had she seen it in person. Now that she had, she could fully appreciate it. 

It was attractive alright. Four beautiful seats with skin coloured rugs on them, two facing each other, tables in between. The cockpit and the air hostess area was covered by a purple velvet curtain. The area was huge for only four seats, and there was also a mini-fridge. Rick had gone with a yellowish stone towards the cockpit. Perhaps it was that stone given to him by the travel god Meili last year. He came back while Aitri was checking out the mini-fridge, which was empty. "That generally stores all the stuff, you know, soft and hard, but they have been left out since it is winter." Rick said, as soon as he took his seat, and got his headrest flattened for a sleep. Would you like some tea?"

"If they got lemon." Aitri replied, as the announcements were made

"Sure, they got lemon." Rick pressed a button to call the airhostess. A middle aged woman with a lot of makeup put her face out from behind the curtain and said, "We can't move now, sir. Not until we have reached the ample amount of height."

"Okay." Rick replied, "When you do, get our guest a nice cup of lemon tea." He turned to Aitri, "Just beam me up in two hours." He put on his headphones, and slept. Aitri was amazed at how tension free he was. And she couldn't blame him. Even she believed that this plane journey was going to be one of the safest she was taking in this mission. It was through the most trustworthy god's domain, and was absolutely safe from any danger. You don't bet against Thor, do you?

Two hours in, Aitri was all done looking out the sky, and drinking her lemon tea, and thinking about her plans of the day. She was not a big music person, and so, didn't have headphones on. She kept on thinking about Samar Dwip. What if it was not the place? Her grandmother said she heard stuff, but what if they were actually made up stories to get Aitri to sleep? What then? Sure, there weren't many islands around Kolkata, but how long would they need if they needed to find it? Did they have enough time? The longer they take, the weaker Idunn gets, wherever she is, and the weaker the gods get. Odin could have, perhaps, done better.

And as they were about to land, Aitri looked at Rick. Gods, this guy could sleep. He was lost out in his own world. Aitri reached out to him, and gave him a gentle push, as Rick jumped up, "Huh, hey, wha..."

"We are about to land. Put your seatbelt on." Aitri said, prompting Rick to fasten his seatbelt. 

As soon as they got down at the airport, Rick was looking around. "Mr. Sarkar!" A man in his thirties and in a white chauffeur uniform called, and came running to them, "I'm Anwesh." 

"Alright, so you are the man Ms. Sanyal was talking about."

"Yes, Sir."

"Let's go, then."

"Sir, where is the hotel?"

"I don't have the time to stay, Mr. Anwesh, we are at a shortage of time. Take us to Samar Dwip."

"Samar Dwip?" Anwesh looked surprised, and also terrified, "Sir, you are our food provider. That place is wretched. Plus, it is very far. Why do you need to go there anyway?"

"Why do you sound worried?" Aitri couldn't help but interrupt.

"That is a death row, Madam. It is one of those haunted places in Kolkata. Kind of, that thing, whoever goes in doesn't return. There is some sort of big bungalow there, and legend has it that some sort of mad evil guy lives there who kills every trespasser."

"So no one has been back? Like ever?" Rick asked.

"No Sir. Not in the last fifty years." Anwesh replied. Rick turned to Aitri and said, "That has got to be the place." Then, he turned to Anwesh, and said, "Mr. Anwesh, my friend here, is a mythologist, and her job is to find the percentage of truth a myth holds. She is an expert in myths consisting of no return areas. So, I think I'll be fine. Take us there." Anwesh stood and stared at Aitri for a second, and led them to the car, a black Audi. As Rick got in after letting Aitri get in first, she said, "Nice save."

"Surprised, Ms. I-can-do-it-all-alone?" Rick said, "You think I am not prepared with excuses?"

"Rick, really?" Aitri felt bad at that nickname, but she knew Rick's character of making jokes and coming up with weird nicknames.

"What, did you have excuses?"

"No." Aitri had no answer to that. Rick gave her a 'told you so' smile.

"So, is Samar Dwip nearby?"

"No." Aitri said, "It's in Bakkhali. About four hours away." To that, Rick mouthed 'Wow!'

About four hours later, the car stopped near the sea. Anwesh got out, and pointed towards an island, the only one there, quite far away from the land. There was a boat in there, but there was no boat-man. The island overall had nothing but stones, and white stone-made bungalow. That was all that could be seen from here. "Notice how the island has to be in a place which is not properly a beach?" Anwesh asked.

"This is not at all a beach." Aitri replied, looking at the sands, the rocks, the trees, and the fact that there was absolutely no soul around other than them, "Mr. Anwesh, I suggest you get away from here, and go home. If there is any truth to this legend, it might as well get dirty."

"Can't leave you two here." Anwesh said.

"I'll be fine. Go. It's an order." Rick said. Anwesh didn't question it again, and he got into the car and left. Rick turned to the boat, and asked, "What do you think?"

"What?"

"You can drive it."

"Without oars?"

"Aren't you Njord's champion? You can control the water perhaps, you know, like control its flow and carry us there?"

"I don't think so." Aitri said, skeptical about her abilities in water, "Let's see." Both of them walked close to the boat. It was a simple boat, with white and sky blue coloured exterior, and red interior with about three planks to sit. As soon as they tried to touch the boat, out of nowhere, a nasal voice called, "Oi, what do you want with my boat?"

Both of them turned and looked for the voice. Behind them, a man stood, about five feet tall, good stout body, long hair till shoulder which covered his ears, fiery amber eyes. He had a violin in his hand, and its string was attached to the waist of his pants. He was, however, shirtless. "We need to get to Samar Dwip." Rick told the man, "Do you cross people over?"

"Yes, I can take you there." The man said, "But beware, whosoever I have taken there hasn't ever returned. So, I won't be bringing you back. I don't want to die."

"Don't need it."

"All for a good price."

"We are in."

So, the two of them sat down. The man disappeared, and then reappeared with his oars. He started rowing the boat, and as he left it to be taken by the currents, he started playing the violin. "This is all I have to pass on the time." He said.

Gods, he was actually playing it good. She was no music expert, but she could feel the tune. It was as if someone was very lonely, as if none was of that person's aid. The tune was really enchanting. It was so engaging that she didn't realize when they had reached half the way to Samar Dwip. However, at half point, the boat stopped. "Why did it stop?" Aitri asked.

"Because, you didn't pay yet." The man said.

"Pay? Aren't we supposed to pay you when we get there?" Rick asked.

"Pay me for playing the fiddle, or else..." The man suddenly took a different look than before. His teeth had turned to fangs, his hair waved in the air to show his big ears, and his nails, like claws. "Pay, or I shall kill you both."

"Rick!" Aitri asked, "What on earth is that?"

"That is a fossegrim." Rick answered.

"Why didn't you tell me if you knew?"

"I didn't. Now I do. But how is it on the sea? Its a river man."

"Man?"

"We've evolved, divine champions. The Giant King wants your blood. But I'm offering a way out, pay me your most precious items, and you'll be safe."