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

Karan's wrists bled from struggling against the restraints, but he couldn't stop. He wouldn't stop.

Not while Riya was still in danger.

The killer took his time, pacing in slow, deliberate steps. The way he moved, the way he spoke—it was as if he was playing a role, one that he had rehearsed many times before.

"You see, Karan," the killer mused, running his knife lightly across his palm, "there's something truly poetic about watching someone lose hope."

Karan clenched his jaw. "If you wanted to kill us, you would have done it by now."

The killer chuckled. "Smart. But no, I don't want you both dead. Not yet."

He turned to Riya.

Riya's breath hitched.

Karan's entire body tensed. "NO! Take me instead!"

The killer tilted his head, pretending to think. "Hmm… tempting. But no. Watching you break is the fun part."

He pulled a chair closer and sat down, as if they were simply chatting over coffee.

"Here's what's going to happen," he continued, his voice disturbingly casual. "I'm going to kill Riya, and you?" He smirked. "You get to watch."

Riya let out a shaky breath, but she didn't beg.

Karan's heart pounded against his ribs. He couldn't let this happen. He needed a way out. Now.

The killer pulled out his knife, twirling it between his fingers.

"I always like to let my victims say their last words." He leaned toward Riya. "So? Any final thoughts?"

Riya stared at him, unflinching. Then, slowly, she turned to Karan.

"Karan," she whispered. "No matter what happens—don't give up."

Karan's vision blurred with rage.

The killer sighed. "How sweet. But I think we've wasted enough time."

He raised the knife.

Karan roared in fury, struggling wildly. "NO!"

The knife clattered to the ground.

The killer's hand jerked back, blood splattering on the floor.

Karan's head snapped toward the door.

There—standing with a gun raised, eyes burning with fury—

And behind her? Aryan.

And the game was over.

Chapter 24: The Execution Plan