Adarsh_Kartik

"Some doors should never be opened. Some secrets should never be uncovered. But when the Abyss calls, no one escapes."

Aryan, an ordinary IT professional, never expected his life to spiral into darkness. When his close friend Meera goes missing, what starts as a simple inquiry turns into a nightmare of blood, deception, and an ancient cult known as The Pendulum of Death.

The deeper Aryan digs, the more horrifying the truth becomes—people disappearing without a trace, ritualistic murders, and a secret that refuses to stay buried. Alongside his loyal friends Karan and Riya, and the sharp-witted police officer Naina, Aryan finds himself on a collision course with a deadly force that transcends reality.

As they uncover the cult’s twisted rituals, hypnotic mind control, and a leader who claims to have touched the Abyss itself, they realize that stopping them means more than just survival—it means preventing an apocalyptic sacrifice.

But when the Cult Leader offers Aryan a choice—become the new vessel or let the world burn—Aryan must face the ultimate truth.

Because the Abyss never truly dies.

And those who stare into it for too long… never return the same.

Shadows Of The Abyss

A dull pain throbbed in Riya's head as she slowly regained consciousness. Her eyelids felt heavy, her body weak, and there was a strong chemical smell lingering in her nose.

Her instincts screamed that something was wrong.

She tried to move, but her arms wouldn't budge. Panic surged through her as she realized—

She was tied to a chair.

Her wrists were bound tightly with thick rope, and her ankles were strapped to the chair's legs. She was completely trapped.

The room was cold and dark, the only light coming from a single, flickering bulb above her. The walls were made of concrete, damp and stained. It looked like an abandoned basement.

And then—she heard it.

A faint sound. Footsteps. Slow, deliberate.

A shadow appeared at the edge of the dim light. A man.

He stepped forward, his face covered by a mask, but something about him felt off. His stance, his presence—it sent a chill down her spine.

His voice was calm, almost amused.

Riya glared at him. "Who are you? What do you want?"

The man tilted his head slightly, as if studying her. Then he took a step closer.

"I've been watching you for a while, Riya," he murmured. "You're… special."

Her stomach twisted in fear. "You're a coward," she spat. "Kidnapping people in the dark—hiding behind a mask."

The man chuckled. "You have fire. I like that."

He bent down slightly, bringing his masked face closer to hers. She could see his eyes now—cold and empty.

"But you should choose your words carefully," he whispered. "Because soon… you'll be begging me for mercy."

Riya's breath hitched, but she didn't look away. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her break.

Then, suddenly—he reached into his pocket and pulled out a phone.

He held it up, showing her the screen. There was a missed call from Karan.

"You see," the man continued, "your dear Karan is already looking for you. And soon, he'll find me."

"Or rather… I'll find him."

Riya's blood ran cold.

This wasn't just about her.

Karan was walking straight into a trap.

And there was nothing she could do to warn him.

Chapter 20: The Killer’s Game