Time was passing slowly and quietly. I asked Seraphiel, "Do you know the actual location of the shard?"
Seraphiel gathered his energy around him and created a globe of earth. There was a small glow of light in the Indian Ocean. Seraphiel pointed there and said, "The shard is there."
I was flabbergasted. How could the shard be in the ocean? I thought of all the possibilities of going under water.
Seraphiel pitied me and said, "Magnus, wasn't there a civilization that existed there?"
It struck me like lightning: "Well, it was believed that a mythical civilization existed there. It was called Lemuria or Kumari Kandam in Tamil literature."
Seraphiel nodded, acknowledging the connection. "Exactly, Magnus. The Eldorian Shard is intricately tied to the echoes of ancient civilizations. Your journey will take you beneath the surface, not just of the ocean but into the realms of forgotten tales and submerged histories."
Seeing Seraphiel's knowledge of Lemuria, I asked him curiously, "Have you been to this continent?"
Seraphiel said as he made the globe disappear, "I suppose. It was way ahead of its time."
Seraphiel continued, with a knowing smile, to address my question: "I've observed the ebb and flow of civilizations from the celestial realms, Magnus. Lemuria was indeed a marvel, a center of knowledge and wisdom."
I curiously asked, "Then, can you give me some information?"
Seraphiel said with a smile, "No."
"WHAT!"
He continued, "There is an island in the middle of the underwater civilization. You can find your information there." In saying that, he disappeared into thin air, leaving some sparkles in the air.
Anna, Rowan, and Lumina came running towards me.
As Anna, Rowan, and Lumina gathered around me, their eyes filled with anticipation, I recounted the conversation with Seraphiel. The mention of an island within the underwater civilization piqued Anna's interest, and she was quick to ask, "What else did he say? Any clues about Lemuria?"
I sighed, "Not much. Seraphiel is keeping the details a mystery. We need to go to an island in the midst of underwater civilization to find the information we seek."
Rowan, adjusting to the surreal nature of our journey, chimed in, "So, we're off to explore a hidden island beneath the waves. It sounds like a plan."
Lumina, still perched on my shoulder, added her own brand of excitement: "Island adventure!"
"But before that, we need to go home. My mom called me ten times." I said, knowing that doom had befallen me.
Anna suddenly shivered. She looked at her phone and gasped, "Oh no, I have ten missed calls from Mom too! She's probably worried sick. I told her I'd be back in an hour."
I dragged everyone back into the car and drove faster than high-tech cars. And finally, I reached home in a few minutes.
My house was a modest bungalow that stood in a quiet neighborhood, radiating an air of familiarity and comfort. The exterior was adorned with a combination of light-colored bricks and siding, which gave it a timeless and classic appeal. A well-maintained garden frames the front, featuring an assortment of flowers and shrubs that add a touch of color to the surroundings.
A straightforward yet hospitable front door, painted in a cozy color, stood in for the entrance. A small porch area with a couple of chairs was present, which offered a cozy spot to enjoy a cup of coffee or engage in casual conversations with neighbors.
The windows of the bungalow were fitted with curtains that allowed just the right amount of natural light to filter into the rooms. The roof, inclined at a gentle angle, sheltered the house, completing the traditional bungalow silhouette.
I parked my car, and we got out of it in a hurry. We ran towards the front door, and Anna rang the bell. I twisted the knob of the door, and it was open. As I opened the door, I saw the fuming figure of my mother. She had a long spoon in her hand.
She was a formidable yet loving figure in his life and had an air of authority about her. With a long spoon in her hand, she stood in the doorway, a combination of concern and frustration etched on her face. Her eyes, though stern, held a maternal warmth that hinted at the depth of her care for me and Anna.
As the door swung open, revealing the trio's hasty return, Magnus's mother couldn't hide her displeasure. "Magnus! Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you for ages, and you just waltz in without a care in the world."
Anna stood behind me, using me like a shield, and attempted a sheepish smile. "Hi, mom. We, uh, got caught up in something important. Sorry for not answering the calls."
I jumped in, trying to diffuse the tension. "Mom, meet my friend Rowan Wilson and his sister Lumina. They're staying with us for a while. Rowan, Lumina, this is my mom."
Rowan gave a polite nod, and Lumina waved with a bright smile. My mom, despite her initial anger, couldn't resist the charm of Lumina's innocence.
"Alright, alright," she sighed, her tone softening. "You better have a good explanation for all this. And you," she pointed the long spoon at me, "are going to help me in the kitchen right now."
I pointed at myself and shouted, "What! ME!?"
"Yes you!" My sister winked at me and ran away with Rowan and Lumina.
Betrayers. The perks of being the older sibling. I rolled my eyes.
I went to the kitchen and tried to bargain with my mom. I said to defend myself, "Mom! I was discharged today. So can you leave me for today only?"
My mom said, "No," at the speed of light.
With a theatrical sigh, I found myself donning an apron and reluctantly tying it around my waist. Despite my attempts at negotiation, my mother handed me a set of vegetables to chop.
As I began chopping, I couldn't help but mutter under my breath, "This wasn't how I planned my grand return home."
My mom, with a hint of a smile, replied, "Well, life has a way of surprising you, Magnus. Now, spill. What's this unexpected adventure you've gotten yourself into?"
I hesitated for a moment, considering how to explain the cosmic revelations and astral realms to my mother. Instead, I settled on a simplified version: "It's a long story, Mom. Let's just say we're on a quest to save the world or something like that."
She raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of disbelief and amusement. "Save the world, huh? Just make sure you save some energy for peeling those potatoes."
The aroma of savory spices filled the air as we prepared a comforting meal in my family kitchen. My mother, skilled in the culinary arts, took charge of the stove while I assisted with chopping vegetables.
As I smelled the spices, I said, "Wow, mom! The food smells good."
My mom said with pride, "Of course, I am making your dad's favorite dish."
"Oh."
On the menu was a hearty chicken biryani, rich in color and flavor. The sound of sizzling onions and garlic wafted through the kitchen as they danced in the pot. Vibrant tomatoes and a blend of aromatic spices followed suit, creating a symphony of scents that teased the senses.
Beside the stove, a pot of fragrant basmati rice bubbled away, promising to complement the flavorful curry for the biryani. The combination of cumin, coriander, and turmeric infused the air with a warmth that transcended the boundaries of the kitchen.
Suddenly, Rowan came inside the kitchen and smelled the air around him. "The food smells so good." He was literally jumping around the kitchen.
My mother laughed as she pointed at him and said, "Your friend seems energetic." I laughed with my mother. I just hope that Rowan won't say anything out of the box. Like, how is the fire burning? Because there was no science in their world.
Rowan looked at the curry in the vessel and asked, "What are you making?"
I placed my hand on his shoulder and said, "This, my friend, is called chicken biryani. It is quite famous in my father's home country, India."
Oh wait. HE DOESN'T KNOW INDIA. DAMN I AM SO DUMB.
Rowan looked confused. "Huh, India? Anyway, it is a delicious dish, right?"
"Yes." I gave him a thumbs up.
I kicked Rowan out of the kitchen and proceeded with the dish.
As I continued to prepare the chicken biryani in the kitchen, the celestial and demonic beings, unable to resist the tempting aroma, stepped outside to discuss the earthly feast.
Seraphiel, still wearing a human guise, smiled appreciatively. "Magnus has truly embraced the flavors of Earth. This biryani is a testament to the richness of human culture."
Elyon, ever curious, asked, "Do mortals eat like this every day?"
Malachi, enjoying the earthly experience, replied, "Not every day, but they do have a wide variety of delectable dishes. Humans find joy in the art of cooking and savoring different cuisines."
Azazel, usually more reserved, admitted, "I've never understood the fascination with mortal food. But this... it's intriguing."
Seraphiel nodded in agreement, "Food is not just sustenance for them; it's a celebration, a way to connect with one another. Magnus seems to have embraced this aspect of human life wholeheartedly."
It was the first time angels and devils agreed on one thing.