Chapter 10: Exploring the Unknown
The western path led Vedant, Vedika, Vivek, and Riddhi through dense, otherworldly terrain. The trees were massive, their bark twisting into intricate patterns, and the glowing plants seemed to hum faintly when brushed. Every step on the soft, mossy ground echoed in the unnerving stillness.
Vedika clung to her brother's arm, her voice hesitant. "Brother… do you think we'll ever go back home? Or are we… stuck here forever?"
Vedant paused, his expression pensive. "I don't know," he admitted. "But panicking won't help us. Right now, we need to focus on staying safe and learning more about this place." He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "We'll figure it out. Together."
Vedika nodded silently, though her grip tightened.
Ahead of them, Vivek stopped abruptly, his broad-bladed sword raised slightly. "Wait," he said in a low voice. "Did you hear that?"
The faint growl of a beast rippled through the air. It was distant but unmistakable.
Riddhi's hand instinctively moved to her dagger, its intricately carved blade catching the faint glow of the plants. "Stay close. And don't make too much noise," she whispered, her tone firm.
The group crept forward cautiously, the growls growing louder until they stumbled upon a clearing.
The sight before them was breathtaking. Two massive beasts were locked in combat.
The first was a monstrous creature about two meters tall, its molten scales glowing like embers. With every roar, it unleashed waves of fire, charring the earth beneath its claws. Opposite it was a giant butterfly-like beast, nearly three meters wide. Its wings shimmered like stained glass, flapping to send tendrils of ice and wood toward its opponent.
The two clashed with terrifying force, shaking the ground with each blow. The fiery beast leaped forward, its claws igniting as they struck the butterfly's icy shield. In retaliation, the butterfly unleashed a barrage of frozen shards and thorned vines, encasing part of the fiery beast in a glimmering frost.
The group watched in stunned silence.
Vedika's voice was barely audible. "They're… using magic?"
Vedant couldn't tear his eyes away. "This isn't just magic," he murmured. "This is raw, elemental power. We need to leave before they notice us."
The others nodded, but just as they turned to retreat, the butterfly beast let out a screeching cry. A moment later, it crashed to the ground, its massive body landing just a few meters away.
The group froze, their breaths caught in their throats.
"Don't touch it," Vedant said sharply, pulling Vedika back. "If the other beast is still nearby, it might attack us next."
Without a word, they hurried back the way they came, marking trees as they went.
The southern path led Hitesh, Vishal, Sachi, and Yashvi into terrain that shifted from lush forest to rugged, rocky outcroppings. Towering boulders and jagged cliffs loomed overhead, and the glow of the plants dimmed as the landscape grew harsher.
"It's so quiet here," Yashvi remarked, her voice uneasy. "Almost… too quiet."
Vishal nodded. "It's like nothing lives here not even insects. That's either a good sign or a very bad one."
As they moved further, they stumbled upon the entrance to a ruin-like structure carved into the rocky mountainside. The weathered stone walls were adorned with faded carvings symbols and images they couldn't decipher, but which seemed to pulse faintly in the dim light.
"This place looks ancient," Sachi said, running her fingers along one of the carvings. "It might be a good place to shelter."
Hitesh frowned, his grip tightening on his sword. "We can't decide that yet. We need to make sure it's safe. Let's split up and search the area. Don't go too far."
The group spread out, carefully inspecting the ruins.
Inside the main chamber, Yashvi found remnants of what might have once been furniture stone slabs shaped like tables or beds, now covered in moss. Sachi discovered a smaller side passage that led to a dark cavern, but it was empty except for more carvings and the occasional faint glow of moss.
When they regrouped, Hitesh spoke first. "The place seems empty. No beasts, no bugs, no signs of danger."
Yashvi nodded. "It's spacious too. If we can bring food and water here, it might be a good spot to stay for now."
Sachi looked uncertain. "But what if there's something we missed? We should wait for the others before we decide."
"Agreed," Vishal said. "Let's head back and share what we found."
At the meeting point, Bhoumik's group was already waiting. They sat on a cluster of boulders, the fruits they had gathered resting beside them.
Bhoumik stood as he spotted Vedant's group approaching. Their exhausted expressions and hurried steps immediately caught his attention.
Riddhi broke away from her group and ran to him, throwing her arms around him tightly. "I was so scared," she whispered.
Bhoumik placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "What happened?"
Vedant, still catching his breath, stepped forward. "We saw… something unbelievable. Two beasts, fighting. One used fire, the other ice and wood. They were massive far stronger than anything we've ever seen."
As Vedant described the battle, the others listened intently. Yashvi's eyes widened in shock, and even Hitesh's confident demeanor faltered.
"They can use abilities?" Sachi asked, her voice shaky. "How are we supposed to survive against something like that?"
"We'll figure it out," Bhoumik said, his tone calm but resolute. "For now, let's focus on what we've found and work together."
He handed each of them one of the glowing fruits. "Eat this. It'll help."
As the group bit into the fruits, their fatigue melted away, replaced by a renewed sense of energy.
Hitesh's group arrived shortly after, sharing their findings about the ruins.
"It's big enough for all of us," Vishal said. "And it seems safe at least for now."
"There's no food or water nearby, though," Yashvi added. "We'll need to bring everything we can from here if we decide to stay there."
Bhoumik nodded thoughtfully, processing the information. "It sounds like a good option for shelter. Let's head there together and secure it before nightfall."
As they prepared to move, Vedant glanced at Bhoumik. "Do you think we're safe here at all? Those beasts… they weren't ordinary animals."
Bhoumik's expression darkened slightly. "No. We're not safe. But as long as we stay smart, we'll survive. Let's go."
As the group made their way toward the ruins, a faint roar echoed through the forest. Everyone froze, their eyes scanning the shadows nervously.
"That sounded close," Riddhi whispered, gripping her dagger.
Bhoumik tightened his hold on his spear. "Stay together. Move quickly, but don't panic."
The forest was alive with chaos. The group sprinted through the undergrowth, their breaths ragged and uneven as the sound of heavy, thundering footsteps grew louder behind them. The towering trees that once felt protective now seemed suffocating, their twisted roots and dense foliage slowing their escape.
"Keep going!" Bhoumik shouted, his voice firm despite the pounding in his chest.
Behind them, the beast roared a guttural, bone-rattling sound that sent waves of fear through the group. Its molten body glowed faintly, illuminating the surrounding forest in a menacing, fiery hue.
Vedant glanced over his shoulder, his face pale. "That's the same beast we saw earlier! It can use fire stay away from its range!"
Ubika's grip tightened on Bhoumik's arm as they ran. "Brother! What if it catches us?"
"It won't," Bhoumik replied firmly, though his own uncertainty gnawed at him. "Just keep running! We're almost there!"
They followed the marks left by Hitesh's group symbols etched into the bark of the trees guiding them toward the ruins. But the beast was gaining.
As they ran, Bhoumik's grip tightened on his spear. His mind raced. The beast was too fast it would catch them before they reached the safety of the ruins.
His footsteps slowed.
Ubika tugged at his arm frantically. "Brother, don't stop! Please, don't!"
Bhoumik turned to her, his expression calm but resolute. "Ubika, listen to me. You and everyone else need to keep going. I'll distract it and buy you time."
"No!" Ubika cried, tears streaming down her face. "You can't! What if something happens to you? I'll stay and fight too!"
"You won't," Bhoumik said firmly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I promised I'd come back. Trust me."
Atul and Hitesh skidded to a stop, turning back to face him.
"We're not leaving you alone," Atul said, his jaw clenched. "We'll fight together."
Hitesh nodded, gripping his sword. "If we take its attention, maybe we'll give everyone else enough time to get away."
Bhoumik hesitated but saw the determination in their eyes. He gave a short nod. "Fine. But stay focused. Don't try to take it down just keep it occupied."
The rest of the group hesitated, torn between staying and fleeing.
"Go!" Bhoumik barked, his voice carrying an uncharacteristic authority. "We'll handle this!"
Reluctantly, the others obeyed, Ubika sobbing as Sachi and Yashvi pulled her forward.
The beast emerged from the shadows, its molten scales glinting in the dim light. Its massive claws tore into the earth with every step, and its glowing eyes locked onto the three standing against it.
Bhoumik held his spear tightly, sweat dripping down his face. His hands shook, but he planted his feet firmly.
"Alright," he muttered to himself. "You've got this."
The beast roared, a wave of heat rippling from its body. Without thinking, Bhoumik swung his spear a clumsy, desperate move. The blade glanced off the beast's thick hide, leaving not even a scratch.
The creature snarled and lunged, swiping its claws at him. Bhoumik barely dodged, stumbling back as dirt and debris flew past his face.