The Partham Chronicles

Part 13 - Selected

The lake was vast and dark grey. The looks of it gave the impression of a bottomless abyss. The rains had caused the level of the water to rise and the howling wind made huge waves which thrashed the banks. The thrashing caused an echo of dread among the onlookers and the participants alike. It was a very old lake said to be formed due to a meteor strike. It homed various aquatic animals and plants and was a protected site. There was a barrage of large rock-cut walls at its borders but these rocks were of little help as the water dominated over it and splashed everywhere. The tension among the people surrounding the lake was evident in the atmosphere.

Markand took all three of them inwards on a deck that was erected on stilts. The level of the water had risen so high that it spilt on the deck.

Tashvin shrunk with fear. He was acutely hydrophobic, Tash had slipped and fallen into a river when he was merely five years of age when his family had been to a resort on a river bank for a holiday. He knew how to swim but feared that he would forget it as soon as he entered the water. Aaden noticed his nervousness so he held him by his shoulder and gave him an assuring nod. " All of us are here with you, we will help each other out okay," he said.
Tashvin nodded and sighed.

Markand blew a whistle and called them all close for instructions. " The task is quite simple, all of you have to work together on this one. There are three parts of an object placed in and around the lake. You all have to first collect all of the three parts and then assemble them to make a very useful object. The same object will help you all locate another object. On finding the final object your task will be over. There are no hidden tricks today, it's a very straightforward task. You all have to work by communicating with others that's what is important." He was going to move away from them but then leaned in," plan out first then act," he said and winked at them. Then walked away.

They all huddled up closer.

" What's the plan Aaden?" Vysna asked.

Aaden thought for a while then said,
" We will search for one part at a time. As we don't know what the final object is, we will each use our power to locate the part of each element surrounding us. I think we should start with air first. Coz, Tashvin has mastered his skill." He looked at Tash and smiled. He said it, to cheer him up and help him get rid of his nervousness.

Tashvin nodded, moved back a little bit and concentrated on finding the object. But it was too windy and the rain made the situation worse." It's too noisy, I am not able to concentrate, he said."

"Shall we wait for the rain to subside a little bit," Vysna suggested.

"Yeah, I think it would be better," Tashvin said.

"Then let's try earth," Aaden said and placed his hands on the deck. He felt a faint buzz. " I feel nothing, I need solid ground," he said and started to walk to the bank of the lake. He placed his hands again on the ground but it was too wet and squishy. He couldn't get his hand firmly placed.
" The soil is too moist I am not able to get a proper image," he said.

" I have an idea, I dunno if it will work though," Tashvin said.

" We have to try, or we won't get anywhere," Aaden said.

" Okay," Tashvin turned to Vysna,
" Vy come hold my hands." He held his hands forward towards her. She held them. He turned her palms upwards and placed his hands below her palms. Both their hands turned upwards in the air.

" It's raining, there is too much water in the air. You will be able to send a frequency better than me." He said.

"Hmm..Okay, but will it work?" She asked.

" We won't know unless we try." He said. The rain pattered over them mercilessly and the winds made it hard for them to concentrate. After two attempts both of them were able to synchronise their wave. Aaden could feel their energy from where he was standing. Two distinct frequencies at regular intervals.