The forest was no longer silent.
It watched.
Ayaan could feel it — every step he took, the air tightened around him like invisible chains. The shadows didn't just exist… they moved.
"Something is wrong…" he whispered.
The mark on his hand burned again.
Not like before.
This time, it spread.
Dark veins crawled up his arm, pulsing with a strange energy. Ayaan fell to his knees, gripping his wrist tightly.
"STOP…!" he shouted.
And then—
A voice.
Deep. Cold. Ancient.
"You finally hear me…"
Ayaan froze. His heartbeat echoed in his ears.
"Who… who are you?" 😨
For a moment, nothing answered.
Then the ground beneath him cracked slightly… and the shadows gathered into a shape — not fully visible, not human… something else.
"I am what sleeps inside you."
Ayaan's breath got heavy.
"No… that's not possible… I'm not—"
"You are chosen."
The word hit harder than anything else.
Chosen?
For what?
Suddenly, flashes filled his mind—
🔥 A burning city
⚔️ A figure standing alone in darkness
🩸 Blood on his own hands
Ayaan screamed, clutching his head.
"GET OUT OF MY MIND!!"
The vision stopped.
Silence.
But not peace.
The voice whispered again, softer this time…
"You cannot run from me… Ayaan."
His name.
It knew his name.
Ayaan slowly stood up, trembling but trying to stay strong.
"Why me…?" 😔
A pause.
Then—
"Because you opened the gate."
Ayaan's eyes widened.
"The… gate?"
But before he could ask more—
A loud roar echoed through the forest. 🌲⚡
Something big.
Something not human.
The ground shook as heavy footsteps approached. Trees cracked. Birds flew away in panic.
Ayaan turned—
And saw glowing red eyes in the darkness.
Not one.
Dozens.
His heart dropped.
The voice inside him chuckled.
"Your first test begins."
Ayaan clenched his fists.
Fear was there.
But something else… was growing stronger.
Something dark.
Something dangerous.
And for the first time—
He didn't run.
TO BE CONTINUED… 😈🔥