Jade Amulet And The Leer Of Evil

Chapter Twenty-two: the Narrow Escape

Aditya entered the hall, searching frantically with his Mobile Light and found Sidharth few feet from him, being wrestled to the ground by an old man wearing dirty white rags. he thrashed about while the old man tried to choke him.
In a rush Aditya did the only thing came to his mind, he ran and leapt onto the old man's back. he locked his neck in a deadlock. he had seen enough WWE to apply the trick properly, immediately the Oldman left Sidharth and tried to get on his feet while feeling the arm around his neck. he had caught him by surprise but how he hadn't noticed him running toward him? he ignored the question and decided to appreciate the opportunity. he used his weight and began yanking him backwards keeping the Oldman off-balanced. Meanwhile, Sidharth lay coughing and splattering on the ground.
'Sidharth...!' Aditya snarled, urging him to get up, holding the man with difficulty but Sidharth took his time.
by every passing second constraining the Oldman was getting more and more difficult. how a man this old had so much strength could have been a topic of research, he didn't even have this much muscle mass to produce such force. Nevertheless, Aditya had to use every last bit of his energy to restrain him from breaking the lock. it was only the advantageous position that was making him do that otherwise God knows better.
thankfully Sidharth was getting up, taking in the situation and the exit was near. he knew they didn't have time, no matter how strong Rajveer was, but he too had limits. limits which had already been crossed, even this was a miracle he was still holding, he had to move this fight out of this hall soon or they were doomed.
he increased his pace, yanking harder pulling the old man toward the door, in exchange, he pulled Aditya's hairs and kept throwing his head back violently but Aditya ignored everything. the best thing was Sidharth seemed to understand the plan, he charged state in their direction. Aditya felt a winning sensation, door was only feet from him now but then he heard something and a spider crawled down his spine. A horrible sound of grinding stones, followed by another roar from Rajveer -which wasn't horrible as it meant he was still resisting- but he understood that Sidharth hadn't understood his plan, he had just seen the door closing. With the realization at that moment, something else hit him in full speed, Sidharth. he crashed shoulder first in the Old man gut throwing all three of them out of the room and into the chamber outside.

as they hit the ground Aditya's head crashed with the stone laying there and pain flared in his head his eyes got shut, his hands automatically reached his head.
then with a ground trembling thud the door hit the ground, sealing itself forever but most appreciatively without them being inside.
groaning he opened his eyes and saw Sidharth wrestling with the old man but then the old man throwed him toward pakhi and elina by the neck, he snarled monstrously and Aditya saw with losing consciousness all three of them retreating, huddled in the corner, Sidharth in front covering both girls behind him. shielding them.
brave Aditya thought. he tried to get up ignoring the pain but it wasn't only the pain, his hands shook under his own weight from fatigue as he tried to get up.  that's when something crossed beside him like a blow of wind.
it was Rajveer, he reached close to the old man, tapped on his shoulder and called 'oye..'
he spun, just to a ferocious blow to his ancient jaws, it was a scene worth "Tollywood". Aditya felt pity for him. as soon the punch landed both of oldman's legs left the ground, he hovered in the air for a millisecond, then hit the ground with a thug and stayed still.

pakhi watched in awe as the man hit the ground, revealing Rajveer behind him, who looked at her and smiled.
'nobody scares my girl' he said swaying on the spot as if half bottle down, then he winked at her and his eyes rolled over. he fell on one side.
'rajveer..' she cried leaping to his aid, everyone else did the same but pakhi reached first. she knelt beside him and heaved his head into her lap.
'Rajveer' she said softly
'hmm' Rajveer replied and opened his eyes a fraction. 'I am fine, was just.. kinda passed out'
pakhi cackled but tears dripped from her eyes all the same. she wiped them with the back of her hand.
what had she done to get such a boyfriend?Strong, loving, caring, handsome, smart -reasonably smart though, she chuckled- but then how would he be rajveer without his silly mistakes and forgetfulness. these things only makes him him, not to mention even more cute, she loved it. he was everything she could ever dream of.
she felt lucky, she tend to feel that a lot but still, this time it was different. she felt proud as well, this was Her boyfriend, no! husband actually
what? he wasn't now but he would be in near future, wouldn't he? she asked herself. of course he will! and if she already like to consider him such what's wrong in that?
she ruffled his hair affectionately while he rested.
'let's go guys' Aditya said standing beside elina a book in his hand 'he's.. not dead!' he said pointing towards the old man 'a good thing obviously, but.. we surly would not want to be here when he wakes up'
'but who is he?' elina blurted out 'god! he looks ancient!'
'guardian' Aditya replied
'oh how could we have possibly guessed that without you?' she smirked.
Aditya smirked back
pakhi felt amused. it was always entertaining to watch them teasing each other even in school time. it was kind of the foundation of there relationship, that fun and friskiness. there was a different kind of love between these two, more like friends than lovers. though they lack the decency of lovers -which rajveer and her had between them in ample- but still it looked beautiful, most of the time pakhi and Rajveer looked boring as a couple compared to them. But there obviously there was a toll of it, where rajveer and her relation had started weak but had grown stronger over the course of time their had grown weaker and weaker though had started quite enthusiastically. numerous times they had been on the brink of separation. yet they had managed to stay together this long, pakhi hoped they would manage ahead as well. they were a lovely couple.
'I mean, you just told me it's 'Harsha' written on the cover of it' he displayed the book 'so, I guess he is from his kin, his decedent'
'no way!' Sidharth said 'I can't believe it, bud 1400 years is a long... time. they can't be still holding on to a man's word who died hundreds of years back'
'then you probably have some other explanation why a man spent his whole life, been mummified guarding the place' Aditya asked briskly
'well..'
'I had this idea that the amulet would be of king Harshwardhan's, he made this place after all, perhaps for this reason only but mantrik's connection confused me' Aditya gulped visibly 'but he made the temple to hide it then also ordered to keep guarding it even after his death that means... that means it must be something very.. very important' his voice started to waver, the book in his hand shook slightly 'Guys, I know it's too late now but don't you think this, this amulet must have been better left where it was?'
'whatever happens has to happen' rajveer replied sleepily 'don't worry we will manage, hah...' he sat, stretched then stood 'besides it's too late we have already came too far, better finish it now.'
pakhi stood up beside him and crossed her arm around his.
'can I have a look?' rajveer stretched his hand for the book.
'no!' Aditya recoiled slightly pushing the book out of rajveers range like a child who had been asked to lend his favourite toy. 'I mean, I don't think it would be wise, Sidharth said he got caught in its charm when he touched it, also mantrik, who we know already had so much power wants it, I'm not sure if it's safe for us to touch, that's why I didn't opened the book in the first place'
'hmm perhaps you are right we will take it to your brother he would know how to handle it' Rajveer said wearily 'though I would have liked to see it at least if not touch after working so hard for it'
suddenly Sidharth yelped, jumped and hung on rajveer's free arm, as the old man stirred a little.
but soon left it and stood straight as if nothing happened 'let's get out of here first'
everybody started to laugh at expect Sidharth he just blushed scratching his head.
'come on he is scary!' he protested but nobody listen.
To pakhi he had been always a funny little thing, cute and annoying like a child. A bit weird, pakhi had always wondered why Rajveer likes him so much. he had always admired his friendship. but today she had found why, he himself was so afraid but still was trying to guard them from the old man even when he knew he couldn't do anything and practically he didn't even know them that well, they were just his friends girlfriends to him. pakhi found a new build respect for the lad inside of her, Rajveer sure knew how to choose friends.
'okay let's go' Aditya said trying to stop the laughter.
'you guys go first' Rajveer said suddenly but determinedly
pakhi frowned, shocked and was about to ask when 
'pakhi please don't argue it's for all of Us!' he said looking deep in her eyes, damm.. this boy certainly had something special about his eyes how could someone look into those and not believe him, reluctantly she closed her mouth.
'so when you are out in the well, safely, call my name I'll understand, pick the diamond and come out'
'no way you are gonna risk your life for it' she said glaring at him now. what he thinks of himself? Superman? 'we don't need that we'll earn ourselves'
'we will never be able to earn that much, beside Aditya's head collided with that stone and nothing happened. likely nothing would happen if I pick the diamond I just want you all to be safe'
pakhi snorted why he always think he should be the sacrificing not anyone else.
'then you all go I'll get the diamond' she said crossing her arms
'pakhi..'
'no rajveer and don't give me that look I'm not gonna approve this'
'then I'll get it' Aditya said
'and how you even thought I would let you?'
elina asked.
'I'll then, and don't try to stop me I won't listen' Sidharth finger said to pakhi and elina
'Sidharth..' rajveer started
'neither you too. I'm gonna do it no matter you two approve or not, now get out, quick, shoo'

Sidharth saw as four of them made their way toward the stairs giving him those pitying looks. now when they were leaving he felt a chill seeping through his bones. what had he done? even if nothing happened when he take the diamond but what about this old fellow, rajveer could have handled him easily but he was No fighter. what he's been thinking? he would crush him like a cockroach. even if he pulled his axe on him he doubted he would be able to do anything with it, it soon will be his end instead.
he clenched his jaws,
no! he told himself now this is his turn to do something.
he had already spent half of time being mantrik's pawn, being useless, while his friends faced the danger.
enough of that now!
besides he was a reason his friends was in this mess after all, only if not direct but still..., if he hadn't been so weak, mantrik couldn't have gain control over him in the first place. this makes it his duty to take at least some of the risk.
his friends had saved his skin countless times now it's time do the same for them only if once.
also he knew deep down that it was more a challenge to prove that he wasn't weak than anything, and to himself not to anyone else. his friends wouldn't even think it this way he knew. they would say "oh come on mantrik would have picked you at random it could have been any of us" but he knew better. he had to change it.
soon he heard the signal he was waiting for his friends was safe outside, now at least this was a relief. Even if he died his friends would be safe, would be there to remember him and if didn't, well, a better life awaits them.
he turned from the lip of the stairs, old man was still unconscious, he hoped he stay that way. actually he thought he wouldn't mind even if he never woke up either. he'd lived enough and the man had no concern for other lives, he jumps to kill anyone he saw why would Sidharth care for his life.
he reached the diamond in three long steps, picked it without any hesitation it wasn't the time for it, he had made his mind, now, whatever happens, he didn't care.
Sooner than he grabbed it he turned on heels and made a run for the stairs. nothing happened, no rumbling, no collapsing ceiling, no spikes or anything cheap fiction type, just the same mummified man blocking his path. in a way it was more terrible than any of those things he was expecting. he skidded to a stop. now what? What does he have?
a small voice inside him suggested, speed.
his heart thumping, he made the decision. he ran state toward him with an uproar of defiance, just on the last moment he leaped to his right, old man turned toward him. he used the spring provided by his crouching stance and slammed his shoulder in the old man's chest, he tumbled backward. his way clear, he began climbing up the stairs three at a time, as fast he could. he kept climbing without bothering to check on his Pursuit but halfway through he risked to stop and glance back in his mobile light.
'shit.. what grain does he eat' he cursed and ran even faster if possible. he was just on his tail and sidharth had wasted few precious moments in which he gained on him.
man.. he hadn't considered that!, on the name of exit there was only a hole and he had to wriggle through it, with him this close how would he manage it?
he could see the hole, his friends were flashing lights through it, it was hardly 20 stairs up.
old man was gaining on him he could hear his footsteps just behind him, whereas he himself was slowing down, his legs turning into led, these last few steps were harder than the rest 90 were.
a hand grazed his back as he jumped last few steps and caught the ledge, instantly two pairs of hands grabbed his arms and pulled, his friends, ohh.. he loved them
but unfortunately this was also the moment when someone grabbed his ankles.
'pull me out, pull me out, pull me out' he yelled and thrashed his legs like a very imprudent child whimpering over a piece of shiny fabric which he certainly had no use for.
he could imagine one or two hitting the old man in the face as he left him and he was propelled out by his friends. they ended up in a jumble of bodied but soon sidharth freed himself, still high on adrenaline he turned to see. but was relieved to saw pakhi wrenching the key, the missing piece of the wall sprouted out from one side immediately, closing the space on a steady pace, old man was trying to wriggle out that time but knew better than that, he pushed back and let the door close. finally it fully closed the space then popped back to it's place as the well's wall