"Aaahh…" I groaned, forcing my eyes open. The sky stretched above me, endless and indifferent. My head rolled sideways, and there she was—Amanda—lying next to me, staring inches from my face. A knife glinted in her hand.
My scream tore out before I could think, my body jerking in panic. Pain answered from every nerve, a brutal reminder that moving was a bad idea. I froze, trembling, helpless.
Amanda chuckled, amused at my misery, and leaned closer.
"Hey, wait there, will you?" she said casually.
"No. You're holding a knife—back off," I shot back, voice sharp despite the agony.
"These are medical knives, you idiot," Amanda explained, rolling her eyes.
"Oh, okay… but why the hell are you waving it near me?" I asked, still puzzled.
She sighed. "Looks like a demon bit you. If I don't trim that part of the skin, your body will corrupt. And then congratulations—you'll be a demon."
"Oh." My voice was flat, caught between horror and resignation.
Amanda finished her work and wiped the blade. "Now rest a little. Then we'll continue."
"No. Let's get this shit over with," I muttered, forcing myself upright despite the fire in my muscles.
Amanda studied my face, saw the stubbornness, and fell silent. She walked beside me without another word.
---
The journey was hell. Every step reminded me of the fight with the demons—their claws, their teeth, the way they had shredded my body like paper. My legs felt like lead, my ribs screamed with each breath, and my shoulders burned as if the wounds were reopening.
I staggered forward, half‑limping, half‑dragging myself. Sweat poured down my face, mixing with dried blood. My vision blurred, and more than once I nearly collapsed.
Amanda slowed her pace, watching me with concern. "You're struggling. You should rest."
"I said I'm fine," I lied, jaw clenched.
"You look like you're about to fall flat on your face."
"Then I'll fall forward. At least that's progress," I shot back, forcing a grin through the pain.
She shook her head but didn't argue further.
---
Hours crawled by. My body grew heavier, sluggish, every step a punishment. I panted like an old man sprinting uphill. Amanda stopped again, concern flickering in her eyes.
"You sure you're okay?" she asked.
"I'm fine," I repeated, pushing forward. Five hours later, we finally reached the coordinates.
I grabbed the walkie‑talkie. "Hey, dumbfuck. I'm here. Where are you guys?"
A voice answered from behind. Sammy. He stepped out of the shadows, gagging dramatically.
"Why do you look like you're auditioning for The Walking Dead?"
I glared. "Don't be jealous, okay?"
Before Sammy could retort, Talia appeared, her tone sharp. "No, seriously. You're practically a corpse. Dried blood, claw marks—you look like a failed medical experiment."
"Whatever. We've got better things to do. Hidden temple. Any clue?" I asked.
"Better to see it yourself," Sammy said, leading the way.
The foul stench of demons faded as we walked. Fresh air filled our lungs, crisp and unreal.
"Where the hell are we? And why can I breathe like a normal person again?" I asked.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Sammy admitted.
The forest shifted around us, sparkling like something out of a children's book. A glowing path led us to a cluster of trees. Then the curtain parted.
Rudra froze.
A colossal tree towered before us, trunk wider than a house, crown piercing the night sky. Moonlight silvered its bark, motes of light drifting lazily around its roots. The air hushed, reverent.
Sammy's jaw dropped. "It's… bigger than a castle." His hand brushed the bark, then recoiled as if touching something sacred.
Amanda clasped her hands, whispering, "It feels alive. Not just alive like a tree… alive like it's watching us."
Talia gasped softly. "It's beautiful."
Rudra said nothing. His chest tightened, awe swallowing words. Roots coiled like ancient serpents, branches shimmering faintly under the moon. It felt eternal.
"Wow," I breathed.
"Holy shit, dude. This is something," Sammy exclaimed, barely containing himself.
"What now?" Talia asked.
"First, let's go inside. Then we'll see," Amanda suggested.
---
We entered the giant tree, following the beam of light. The tunnel twisted, spiders lunging at us like cheap jump scares. At the end, the world opened—lush, alive, more beautiful than outside. Plants thrived, animals moved freely, and at the center lay a pond. The beam of light stopped there, vanishing as if it had never existed.
"Now what?" I asked, annoyed.
"I think we dive in," Sammy grunted.
"And go to your house, you fucking idiot?" I snapped.
Amanda shook her head. "The light wouldn't stop here randomly. The pond's a clue. Maybe the temple lies beneath."
We agreed, reluctantly. I inhaled sharply and plunged into the water. Amanda followed. Talia and Sammy vanished instantly, swallowed by nothing. Then we were pulled too—teleported.
---
"Ahhhhhh!" I screamed as I hit the ground hard. Amanda landed beside me, rushing close.
"You okay?" she asked, concern etched in her voice.
Before I could answer, a voice thundered through the air.
"So you are finally here, Rudra and Amanda."
The sound was deep, ancient, and terrifying. It crawled down our spines, leaving us shivering in its wake.