Chapter 11 : The carven ruins
Atul charged from the side, his weapon a heavy mace swinging wildly. The blow connected with the beast's leg, but it was like hitting a wall. The beast growled, turning its attention to Atul.
"Over here, you overgrown lizard!" Hitesh shouted, slashing his sword toward the beast's face. His blade missed, but it drew the beast's ire.
It roared again, its molten body flaring with heat.
"Get ready!" Bhoumik shouted as the beast's mouth began to glow.
A torrent of fire erupted from the beast, scorching the ground where they had stood moments before. The three scrambled to avoid the flames, coughing as the smoke filled the air.
Bhoumik's heart pounded as he steadied himself. He tightened his grip on the spear, his palms slick with sweat. The beast was distracted, its attention divided between Atul and Hitesh.
This is your chance.
Clenching his teeth, Bhoumik lunged forward. He aimed for the beast's face, driving the spear with all his strength. The blade pierced the beast's eye, and a spray of molten liquid erupted as the creature let out a deafening roar of pain.
The beast thrashed wildly, releasing bursts of fire in all directions. Atul and Hitesh ducked behind trees for cover, shouting for Bhoumik to do the same.
"Bhoumik, run!" Hitesh yelled.
The beast flailed, its massive claws tearing into the ground as it stumbled in its agony. Taking advantage of its disorientation, Bhoumik, Atul, and Hitesh turned and sprinted after the others.
The fiery glow behind them faded as they put distance between themselves and the enraged creature.
After what felt like an eternity, the ruins came into view. The group was huddled near the entrance, their faces pale with fear and relief as Bhoumik, Atul, and Hitesh emerged from the forest.
Ubika ran to her brother, throwing her arms around him. "You're okay! I was so scared!"
Bhoumik hugged her back, his exhaustion catching up to him. "I told you I'd come back," he said, his voice soft but steady.
As the group regrouped, they entered the ruins, their weapons still in hand. The carved stone walls loomed around them, offering a sense of protection but also a new layer of unease.
"We're not safe yet," Bhoumik said, his eyes scanning the dark interior. "Let's block the entrance and make sure nothing follows us in."
The group quickly got to work, piling rocks and debris to create a makeshift barricade. For the moment, they were safe. But the weight of their situation hung heavy in the air.
The moon hung high in the sky, casting pale silver light over the cavern ruins. The group had settled deep within the structure, where the shadows and walls would hide them from any prowling beasts. The air was cool, the flickering campfire the only source of warmth as the flames danced against the ancient stone.
Hitesh winced as he adjusted his position, the gash on his shoulder clearly bothering him. Bhoumik, sitting near the fire, glanced over and sighed.
"Ubika, Tsering," he said, his voice steady. "Take out the fruits we brought from the tree. Everyone needs to eat and recover."
Ubika carefully unwrapped the cloth bundle she carried, revealing the fiery red fruits. The glow from the firelight made the fruits look even more vibrant, almost otherworldly. She passed them around, ensuring everyone had one.
As they bit into the fruits, a familiar sensation washed over them a refreshing wave of energy, as though every cell in their bodies was being revitalized.
Riddhi finished hers quickly, her eyes widening. "This fruit is incredible. It's not just filling it's doing something to us."
Vedant, always observant, pointed toward Bhoumik. "Look at his arm."
All eyes turned to Bhoumik. The deep gashes on his forearm, which had bled profusely earlier, were now visibly closing. New skin formed where the wounds had been, leaving only faint marks behind.
"It's not just him," Atul said, lifting his hand to show his own injuries healing at an astonishing speed.
Hitesh stared at his shoulder, where his wound had nearly vanished. "This fruit is insane. It's like it has… healing properties."
Vedant's mind raced. "If it can do this, we'll need more of these. But there weren't many left on the tree, right?"
Bhoumik nodded. "Yeah, and we'll need water too. There's only one source nearby the waterfall. But it's far from here. We can manage with the fruit for now, but water will be a problem soon."
Everyone nodded in agreement, the reality of their survival settling over them. Vedant's brow furrowed as an idea formed.
"Hitesh," Vedant began, "did your group check the ruins completely?"
Yashvi shook her head. "We explored some of it, but not thoroughly. Why?"
Bhoumik's eyes lit up with understanding. "He means there could be something useful deeper inside maybe another water source, or even more supplies."
Vedant nodded. "Exactly. It's too early to assume this is just a shelter. There might be more to it."
Riddhi stood and stretched. "Then it's settled. After we gather more fruit tomorrow, we'll explore this place properly. Who knows what we'll find?"
The group murmured their agreement as the conversation faded. One by one, they laid down to rest, exhaustion dragging them into a deep sleep.
Bhoumik sat at the entrance of the cavern, the cool night air brushing against his skin. The firelight flickered behind him, casting faint shadows that seemed to dance along the walls. Above, the sky was an endless expanse of stars, clearer and brighter than he'd ever seen on Earth.
"It's beautiful," Riddhi said softly, sitting down beside him. Her voice broke the silence, but it carried a warmth that didn't feel intrusive.
Bhoumik glanced at her and nodded. "It's nothing like our world. No pollution, no haze… just the sky in its purest form."
Riddhi tilted her head, studying him. "You should be resting. You fought that beast head-on and saved us all. You've done enough for tonight."
"I'm fine," Bhoumik replied, his gaze fixed on the moon. "If a beast comes, someone has to stay alert."
Riddhi leaned back on her hands, watching the stars. "You're stubborn, you know that?"
Bhoumik chuckled lightly but didn't respond.
The silence stretched comfortably between them, broken only by the crackle of the fire and the occasional rustle of leaves.
Unbeknownst to them, Sachi stirred from her sleep. Realizing Bhoumik wasn't among the group, she stood and walked toward the entrance. Her heart clenched when she saw him sitting beside Riddhi, the two of them illuminated by the faint moonlight.
She hesitated, her hand resting on the wall. A pang of something unspoken gnawed at her, but she pushed it aside and stepped forward.
Bhoumik turned at the sound of footsteps, his sharp senses alert. When he saw Sachi, his expression softened. "You're awake?"
Their eyes met in the quiet glow of the moon. Sachi's breath hitched for a moment, but she nodded. "I couldn't sleep. And… I wanted to check on you."
Riddhi turned and smiled. "Come join us, Sachi. The sky's incredible tonight."
Sachi hesitated, but after a moment, she walked over and sat down on Bhoumik's other side.
Riddhi glanced at Sachi with a playful smirk. "Bhoumik's pretty stubborn, isn't he? I've been trying to convince him to rest, but he won't listen."
Sachi smiled faintly, folding her hands in her lap. "He's always been like that. Even back in school, he'd take on more than he could handle without asking for help."
Riddhi raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You've known him that long?"
Sachi nodded. "Since school. He's always been the type to look out for everyone."
Bhoumik, oblivious to the subtle tension, glanced between them. "You two are making me sound like some kind of workaholic."
Riddhi grinned. "Well, you kind of are. But hey, I think it's one of your better qualities."
Sachi's gaze flickered toward Riddhi. "It's not just a good quality it's part of who he is. And that's something not everyone understands."
Riddhi caught the edge in Sachi's tone but maintained her smile. "Well, I guess it's lucky he has us here to make sure he doesn't push himself too hard."
Bhoumik, sensing no subtext, stretched and stood. "You two should rest. I'll keep watch for the rest of the night."
Riddhi stood as well, brushing off her clothes. "Not a chance. If you're staying, I'm staying too."
Sachi followed suit, her voice soft but firm. "Then I'll stay as well. You shouldn't be alone."
Bhoumik frowned, confused. "Why are you both being so stubborn?"
Neither woman answered directly, their gazes briefly meeting in a silent, unspoken challenge.
After some time, Sachi finally spoke. "We should head back inside. The others will wake up soon, and we'll need our strength for tomorrow."
Riddhi nodded, though she cast a glance at Bhoumik before turning toward the cave. "She's right. Come on."
Bhoumik sighed but didn't argue. Together, they returned to the campfire, where the rest of the group slept soundly. As the firelight flickered against the walls, the three settled in for the last few hours of the night, the weight of unspoken emotions lingering in the air.
The sun rose over the ruins, its golden light spilling through the cracks in the cavern. One by one, the group stirred from their sleep, their exhaustion replaced by a cautious sense of determination.
Bhoumik stood, his spear in hand. "Today, we gather what we need and explore this place. Let's see what this world is hiding."
The group nodded in unison, ready to face whatever lay ahead.