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

The darkness pressed in around them.

The only light came from the flickering red candles, their flames dancing against the bloodstained walls. The pendulum in the Cult Leader's hand swung slowly, casting eerie shadows on the ground.

At the center of the room, the bound woman whimpered. Her head was lowered, long hair covering her face, her body trembling.

The Cult Leader's metallic mask gleamed as he turned to Naina.

"Give yourself up," he said smoothly. "And I will let her go."

Karan clenched his fists. "Like hell we're doing that."

Aryan's grip on his gun tightened. "You're lying."

The Cult Leader chuckled. "Lies? Oh no, Inspector Aryan. Lies are what you tell yourselves to feel in control."

He tilted his head. "But truth? Truth is pain."

"You are a protector," he murmured. "It is in your nature to sacrifice yourself for the weak. So here is your choice."

The pendulum swung hypnotically.

"Her life… for yours."

The room fell silent.

Riya's breath hitched. "Naina, don't even—"

Naina exhaled slowly.

Her eyes didn't leave the Cult Leader's.

Karan stepped forward. "This is obviously a trap! We are not trading you!"

Riya nodded furiously. "We'll find another way!"

But Naina's expression was calm.

She turned to Karan and Riya. "We don't have time. If we let her die, we're no better than them."

Aryan's heart pounded. "Naina—"

She took a step closer to him, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You will find me."

Aryan froze. His breath caught in his throat.

She hesitated, then, with the smallest, most fragile smile, she whispered—

"You have been brave. I have never confessed it… but I will love you to my very end. Don't cry if I am gone."

Aryan's heart broke.

He grabbed her wrist. "No—"

But she gently pulled away, turning toward the Cult Leader.

The Cult Leader smiled beneath his mask.

The doors creaked open, revealing a dark hallway leading deeper into the facility.

Naina walked forward, her steps steady, her expression unreadable.

As she crossed the threshold, the doors slammed shut behind her.

Leaving the others frozen in shock.

For a long, unbearable moment—no one spoke.

Then Karan gritted his teeth. "We need to get the hell out of here."

They rushed toward the bound woman, Aryan's hands shaking as he untied the ropes.

The woman slumped forward.

Riya brushed her hair back—

Her blood turned to ice.

Karan stumbled back. "No—"

Aryan's eyes widened in horror.

The "woman" was not real.

She was a lifeless doll.

A grotesque replica, her face stitched with wax, her eyes hollow.

They had been fooled.

The Cult Leader's voice echoed through the empty chamber.

"The Abyss thanks you for your gift."

Then—the lights cut out.

And Naina was gone.

Chapter 43: The Kidnapping