As soon as they stepped out of the sorcerer Bhadrakal's terrifying ruins, a strange shiver ran through the bodies of Vikas, Arya, and Ishan. Even the biting cold air outside failed to dry the sweat on their foreheads. Ishan, who had been consumed by rage moments ago, was now completely broken. The ghastly face of Ivan kept flashing before his eyes like a recurring nightmare. Getting into the car, Vikas gripped the steering wheel so hard that his knuckles turned white.
In a trembling voice, Vikas said, "We have to hurry. The sorcerer made it clear—there are three spirits inside Ivan. We need to find someone who will easily fall into our trap, someone whose disappearance won't cause an immediate stir."
Looking out at the thick darkness through the window, Ishan asked, "But who will we bring? Trapping someone like this is not a game."
That's when Arya pulled out her phone and showed the profile of a 'paranormal blogger.' His name was Atharv. Atharv was a young man who risked his life visiting haunted places just to gain fame. Arya said, "He is the perfect prey. We'll lure him here with the bait of the 'world's most haunted location.' He'll think he's getting the biggest video of his career, little knowing we are preparing him for sacrifice."
Laying the Trap
Over the next four days, Vikas, Ishan, and Arya meticulously wove a web around Atharv. They created a fake email ID, posing as residents of an old, deserted village. They wrote to Atharv about a stone house deep within the forest where cries were heard at night and blood dripped from the walls. They even sent some old, eerily edited photographs.
Atharv, always on the hunt for 'exclusive content,' agreed instantly. He replied, "I'm reaching there the day after tomorrow. Just show me the way; my camera will do the rest."
Meeting the Prey and the Journey
As planned, on Saturday night, Vikas, Arya, and Ishan reached the edge of the forest in their car. Within moments, Atharv arrived on his heavy sports bike, his headlights cutting through the dark. He stopped his bike, removed his helmet, and said with a grin, "Hi guys! I'm Atharv. Is this the place you mentioned in the email? The path is quite secluded, man!"
Vikas replied with forced warmth, "Yes brother, you've come to the right place. Just follow us."
Vikas, Arya, and Ishan led the way in their car, while Atharv followed closely on his bike, venturing deep into the forest trails. They stopped directly in front of the sorcerer's old stone house. Atharv parked his bike right outside. The four of them walked toward the door together.
As he got off his bike, Atharv turned on his main camera and began speaking with practiced enthusiasm— "Hello friends! Welcome to 'Dark Tales.' Today, I am at an unknown location in India where even birds fear to fly. I have three local guides with me. Guys, you can see the atmosphere here; the silence is so heavy I can hear my own heartbeat."
The Horrific Game Inside
As they entered the house, Atharv froze for a second. "Oh my god! Guys, look at this! Are these real skulls? This looks like a tantric's den. This video is going to set the internet on fire!"
He stepped further inside. A solitary, ancient torch flickered in the center of the room. The walls bore red marks that looked like fresh blood. Fitting his GoPro onto his forehead, Atharv said, "Friends, I'm going in."
The moment he reached the center of the room, Vikas quietly closed the door behind them. Atharv turned around, startled. "Hey brother, why did you close the door?"
Before he could comprehend anything, Ishan struck Atharv's head from behind with a heavy wooden club. Atharv's camera slipped from his hand and hit the floor. He collapsed, his head split open.
Helplessness and the Web of Ropes
"You... what are you doing?" Atharv groaned. He tried to crawl away, but Vikas and Ishan pinned him down. Arya quickly produced a thick cloth and stuffed it into Atharv's mouth with all her might. Vikas brought out a thick jute rope. They dragged Atharv toward an old stone pillar.
Ishan and Vikas pulled his hands behind the pillar and tied them so tightly that the ropes bit into his flesh. Arya took another long rope and bound Atharv's legs from his thighs down to his ankles against the pillar, securing them with several knots.
Atharv was now completely immobilized. Tears streamed down his face. Arya stepped forward, picked up the fallen camera, and smashed it to pieces. She ripped the GoPro from Atharv's forehead and crushed it with a stone until it was pulverized.
The Sorcerer's Command and Departure
The sorcerer Bhadrakal emerged slowly from a dark corner. His milky-white eyes glared at Atharv. He placed his hand on Atharv's forehead and looked at Vikas, Arya, and Ishan, his voice cracking like thunder:
"There are three spirits within Ivan; this one alone is not enough! I need two more sacrifices. Go now and find two more men! Until you bring them, he will remain bound here. Go!"
Upon hearing the sorcerer's command, Vikas, Arya, and Ishan trembled with fear. The three of them rushed out of the old house, scrambled into their car, and sped through the forest toward the main road. Only one thought consumed their minds—finding two more victims for the sorcerer, or else, they would be next.