"The BASEMENT..?" Urim replied with an anxious look
"Is something wrong there?" I asked doubtfully
"umm…. It is … forbidden…." Urim replied hesitatingly.
"Forbidden?...Why?" Lupa questioned.
"Umm… we disciples aren't allowed to enter the basement, only master can entre there."
"So let us break the rule this once and go in there…." Roger suggested.
Urim was still uncertain and had a horrified look on his face. But still he spoke,
"Um… Last time when someone went in… it was a very critical situation for us. There was a boy just like us. He was very fond of mysteries and all. As we were forbidden down there, he wanted to explore the mysterious basement. He went in there down one night when master was away for work. We heard a big scream and growl coming from the basement. We all were frightened and ready with our weapons in case something happens. That was when we noticed that the boy was missing. We searched the whole temple and suburbs but… we couldn't find him. Then the only place remained was the basement. We gathered up the courage and went down but the door was locked tightly. The screams became horrible over the night. Next day when the master arrived he went down and brought up that boy's unconscious bruised body. No one knew what exactly happened to him but… after that day we never saw that boy. Only master can tell us what happened to him…"
"What exactly is there in the basement? And who was that boy?" Roger Inquired.
"He was-.."
Before he could reply, we heard someone entering the outer room. Hence, we went out. There was another boy dressed just like Urim and was of same age as him. He was shocked to see us in there, then smiled at us after seeing Urim.
"Hello! I didn't know we had guests…"
"They want to meet our master…" Urim replied immediately.
The young boy observed us carefully as if he was studying every minute detail of us. Then he composed himself and bowed in front of us.
"It is a great pleasure meeting your highness King Lupa…!" He exclaimed.
("[Frown] This Kid…. How does he know me even in this attire…?")
"I am Tumim your highness…"
"Nice to meet you Tumim…" Lupa greeted back. "You can relax now as you can see I am here for some different purpose so you might approach me as a normal individual."
Tumim smiled back and stood aside.
("What! He… is a ….KING?!")
Urim was still unaware of this fact. Lupa noticed his demeanour and patted his back to relax him.
Urim Turned to Tumim and asked him,
"Where were You Tumim?"
"I was with master. We were heading to the headmaster's but… master suddenly ordered me to go back and take care of the temple…"
Urim and Tumim both looked somewhat similar, as if they were twins… But they had totally different personalities. Urim was a cheerful, honest, confident yet shy child whereas Tumim was a mysterious one. Even though he was confident, something about him was not right…
"So… now that we are done with our introductions, why don't we continue?" Roger blurted out.
"Yes. Let us go and check the basement." Lupa stated.
"WAIT! BASEMENT? WHAT IS GOING ON URIM?" Tumim yelled.
"We saw a SPIRIT MONSTER in the library… which ran down to the basement."
"Even so…NO ONE IS ALLOWED DOWN THERE!!! DID YOU FORGET?!"
"[frowning] BROTHER! It was a SPIRIT MONSTER and it needs to be investigated… and.. and… he is a king how can you disobey his order…"
Urim was trying to convince Tumim.
("Oh My! Go boy Go! He certainly looks cute. They both look like cute chickens fighting over…!")
"Ummhmm[clearing throat] If you are ready shall we go ahead folks?" Fiona jumped in and asked.
Even though they were in disagreement with each other they followed us quietly.
We went down a narrow staircase which had some dim lighting. It was clean yet creepy. The side walls had various wall hangings which looked certainly like protection spells. After some 50-60 stairs we reached the basement door which appeared to be locked with magic. The door had a outlined wolf face which was carved in some weird scripts.
"It's some weird script…" I commented.
"Is it a new spell??" Roger muttered.
They were some unrecognisable letters which started moving on its own changing it shape and forming a new one.
("An eye??")
It formed a shape of an eye and the letters became readable.
"What is the meaning of this eye?" I scorned.
Others were confused and looked at me with doubtful wide opened eyes.
"Ummm…. What?"
"Any EYE?" Fiona was puzzled
I pointed it out and spoke,
"That eye shape… the letters… they moved and formed this shape?... why are you all looking at me with a blank face as if you didn't saw it…!"
And my guess was right. They didn't see it moving or that eye shape…
They seemed conflicted. But then Lupa asked,
"Can you read the letters?"
"Yes… They are readable now… Can't you see it?"
"Nope, they are only visible to you…"
"Why is that?"
"[Shrug]… what does it say?"
"It says 'OPENING THE DOOR IS DANGEROUS AND CAN BRING MISFORTUNE…' "
"What can be the misfortune?" Roger mocked.
Getting aside Lupa stood straight and hold the doorknob to open the door. The door was locked and the doorknob moved only the half way.
"Is it broken?" Fiona asked Urim.
Urim denied. Lupa tried his force but still it won't budge.
("You know how to open it… Just give it a TRY….")
I heard the same voice as before talking to me.
("Should I give it a try?")
I moved near and hold the doorknob when that voice spoke again,
("Twist it half in the right, then fully to the left and bring it back to the right, in a full circle…")
I did as that voice spoke and VOLA!! I opened it up!
"How… did.. you?"
Everyone was astonished to see it.
The door was unlocked, which opened up automatically to a horrible site….