Chapter 2 - He who Returned
Elementia beyond nature
Chapter 2 - he who returned
PART 1 - RUN
PART 2 - FLASHBACK
PART 3 - A RESOLVE FORGED
PART 4 - LAST STAND
Must read chapter 1
Part 1 - Run
The entity loomed before them, its towering figure smeared with AK's blood, sending a chill down their spines. The group cowered in terror, frozen in place. But Haars, undaunted, stepped forward, his eyes locked on the entity. With a fierce determination, he spread his arms, shielding his friends.
"Now's our chance!" Haars yelled, his voice piercing the eerie silence. "Run, get out of here, NOW!"
As Haars yelled "Run!", Ved stood firm, his eyes blazing with defiance. "We're not leaving anyone behind!" he shouted, raising his gun and firing a shot at the entity. The bullet hit its mark, but the entity barely flinched, its eyes fixed on Ved with an unnerving intensity.
Haars' heart swelled with pride at Ved's bravery. "That's my team!" he thought, a fierce grin spreading across his face.
Meanwhile, Nikh shielded Ria and Bhum with his body, his left hand throbbing in pain from the injury he sustained in the ruins. "Get behind me!" he growled, his eyes darting between the entity and his friends.
Ria and Bhum exchanged terrified glances, but they didn't hesitate, huddling behind Nikh as the entity took a step closer...
Camp:
AK's body lay motionless, alone in the camp. His chest rose and fell with slow, shallow breaths. The only sound was the wind rustling through the trees.
Ruins:
Meanwhile, in the ruins, Haars, Ved, Nikh, Ria, and Bhum faced off against the entity. Haars stood tall, ready to face the entity, while Nikh shielded the girls with his injured hand.
Ved fired his gun, but the entity kept coming. "We need to get out of here, NOW!" Haars yelled, grabbing Ved's arm.
As they turned to flee, the entity lunged, its massive hand swiping at them...
The two scenes played out simultaneously, AK's solitary stillness contrasting with the chaos and danger unfolding in the ruins.
AK's eyes fluttered open, his vision blurry and distorted. He groggily took in his surroundings, seeing only trees in every direction. A sharp pain shot through his left shoulder, and he winced, trying to move. His legs trembled beneath him, struggling to support his weight.
With a Herculean effort, AK reached out and grasped a nearby tree trunk, pulling himself up to a sitting position. He leaned against the tree, panting heavily, and assessed his injuries. His left shoulder throbbed with a deep, pulsing pain, and he suspected it might be fractured or dislocated.
AK's mind raced, trying to remember how he ended up here. The entity, the ruins, his friends...it all came flooding back. He tried to stand, but his legs buckled, and he slumped against the tree, overwhelmed by dizziness and pain.
As he sat there, AK realized he was alone, with no sign of his friends or the entity. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of his own ragged breathing...
AK's mind racing, he weighed his options. He could try to escape, make a run for it, and possibly find help. But then he thought of his friends, especially Bhum, and his heart sank. He couldn't leave them behind, not when they needed him most.
AK looked around, trying to get his bearings. He was surrounded by dense trees, with no clear path in sight. He could go left, into the unknown, or right, potentially back towards the ruins and the entity.
AK's thoughts were a jumble of fear, loyalty, and love. He knew he had to act fast, but which way should he go?
Part 2 :- flashback
As he stood there, a flashback hit him like a wave. Several days before the trip, AK was just a normal guy doing normal things. He spent his days playing games in his room, attending college, eating dinner, scrolling through his phone, and sleeping. He had always been skeptical of superheroes, despite hearing stories about them online. "They're just myths," he thought.
But then, the call from Haars changed everything. Haars, his friend since childhood, had always been fascinated by the supernatural and the occult. AK remembered Haars' excitement as he spoke about the trip, about exploring the ruins and uncovering their secrets.
"AK, trust me, this will be the adventure of a lifetime!" Haars had said.
Little did AK know, those words would become all too true...
"Who are the others coming on the trip?" AK asked, his curiosity piqued.
Haars hesitated for a moment before responding, "Hmmm...me, Nikh, Bhum, Ria, and Ved."
AK nodded, familiar with the group. "The usual suspects, plus Ria and Ved from your college, right?"
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Haars nodded. "Yeah, that's right! We've been friends since school days, and Ria and Ved have been itching to join us on one of our adventures. Nikh and Bhum are just looking to get out of town for a bit, you know how they get restless."
AK chuckled, knowing his friends' quirks all too well. "And what about Ria and Ved? What makes them think they can handle this?"
Haars grinned. "Ria's got some impressive survival skills, and Ved's a super intelligent tech expert. He's been helping me research the ruins and figure out the tech side of things."
AK raised an eyebrow, impressed. "No kidding? Ved's a genius, then?"
Haars nodded. "Total genius. He's the one who's been helping me hack together the equipment we'll need for this trip."
AK hesitated, his mind racing with thoughts of Nikh and Bhum together. He had secretly harbored feelings for Bhum for a long time, and the thought of her with Nikh made his heart ache. But he didn't want to show his true feelings, so he put on a brave face.
"Okay, I'm in," AK said, trying to sound casual despite the turmoil inside.
Haars grinned, oblivious to AK's inner struggle. "That's the spirit! I knew I could count on you. We'll make it a trip to remember!"
AK forced a smile, wondering what he had just gotten himself into. Little did he know, this trip would change everything...
When the group met for the first time at the dockyard, Haars introduced everyone to Ria and Ved. Ria, being her usual talkative self, immediately began sizing up the group.
"Okay, so we have Bhum, the cutest girl, Nikh, Mr. Perfect Male," Ria said with a grin, "but what about AK? What's his story, Haars?"
Haars chuckled. "AK's our quiet genius. He's always been the brains of our operation."
Ria raised an eyebrow. "Quiet genius, huh? I like it. But AK, you're not going to be quiet all trip, are you?"
AK blushed, feeling the spotlight on him. "I'll try my best to keep up with you, Ria."
Ria smiled mischievously. "Okay, quiet genius, then protect me from all the dangers out there!"
Just then, Bhum turned to AK with a warm smile. "Hey, long time no see, monkey!" she exclaimed, using AK's old nickname from school days. "Now, look after me, okay?"
AK's heart skipped a beat as he smiled back at Bhum, feeling a mix of happiness and nervousness. He couldn't believe he was finally going on an adventure with the girl he had secretly loved for so long...
Part 3: A Resolve Forged
The flashback faded, and AK’s resolve crystallized. He gritted his teeth against the pain, the throbbing in his fractured shoulder and aching legs barely registering over his overpowering determination. His friends were in danger, and no matter the personal cost, he couldn't abandon them.
With a grunt of effort, AK pushed himself off the tree trunk. His legs trembled, and every movement sent sharp pain through his shoulder. As he staggered through the dense forest, his gaze fell on the coat Ria had joked about being lucky. Despite its tattered state, it was still wrapped around him.
He tightened the coat around his waist, a small, defiant smile crossing his face. “Let’s see how lucky you really are,” he muttered, using the coat’s symbolism to fuel his determination.
The forest seemed to close in around him as he trudged on. Each step was a battle against the treacherous terrain and his own weakening body. The shadows deepened as the sun dipped lower, and AK's breathing grew ragged, but his mind remained focused on reaching the ruins and helping his friends
---
Back in the ruins, the clash between the entity and the rest of the group reached a fever pitch. The air was thick with tension and the acrid scent of burning debris. Haars, Ved, Nikh, Ria, and Bhum fought desperately, each struggling to hold their ground against the monstrous entity.
Haars was in the thick of it, barking orders as he maneuvered around the entity’s enormous bulk. He ducked beneath a sweeping claw, narrowly avoiding a devastating swipe. “Ved, keep up the fire! Nikh, make sure Ria and Bhum stay out of harm’s way!” he shouted, his voice strained but resolute.
Ved, eyes narrowed in concentration, fired his weapon in rapid bursts. The entity’s hide was tough, but each hit seemed to register. He adjusted his aim, targeting weak points as best he could. “I’m on it!” he called back, sweat dripping from his brow as he maintained a relentless assault.
Nikh, despite his injury, was a rock of stability. He stood protectively in front of Ria and Bhum, his gunfire steady and precise. The pain in his left hand was nearly unbearable, but he gritted his teeth, focusing on keeping the entity at bay. “Stay behind me!” he urged, his voice firm despite the strain.
Ria and Bhum, though frightened, were determined not to be mere spectators. Ria glanced at Bhum and gave her a reassuring nod. “We need to find a way to support them. Look for anything we can use!” she instructed, her voice cutting through the chaos.
Bhum nodded, her eyes scanning the ruins for anything that might turn the tide. She spotted a pile of discarded tools and, grabbing a heavy metal rod, began to use it as an improvised weapon. “Got something!” she shouted, swinging the rod with all her might.
As the battle raged, the entity roared with frustration, its movements becoming more erratic. Haars seized the opportunity. “This is our chance! Focus everything we’ve got!” he urged, rallying the team with renewed energy.
---
With renewed energy, the group gathered their remaining strength and launched their final assault. They focused all their efforts on overwhelming the entity with a combined barrage of gunfire, makeshift weapons, and sheer willpower. Every member poured their heart into the attack, hoping to bring down the monstrous foe.
But to their dismay, the entity showed no signs of flinching. It stood its ground, unfazed by their desperate onslaught. The group watched in horror as the entity’s massive hand reached out and grabbed Ved, lifting him high above its head.
“No!” Haars shouted, his eyes widening with fear as he watched Ved being hoisted like a ragdoll. The entity’s other hand swung back, preparing to throw Ved with lethal force.
Just as the entity was about to hurl Ved away, a sudden, violent impact struck it from behind. The entity staggered, its grip on Ved momentarily loosening. The force of the attack sent it reeling forward, giving Ved a brief moment to escape its grasp.The team turned in shock to see AK, battered and bruised, standing defiantly. He had thrown a large, heavy object at the entity’s back, using whatever strength he had left. His eyes were fierce with determination as he staggered forward, his breath ragged but his resolve unshaken.
“Ved, get out of there!” AK shouted, his voice strained but urgent. As Ved dropped to the ground, scrambling to get out of harm’s way, the group rallied once more, seizing the chance AK had given them.
The entity, now momentarily disoriented and enraged, roared in fury. The battle was far from over, but AK’s timely intervention had given the group a glimmer of hope.
PART 4 - LAST STAND
The entity roared in fury, its attention momentarily diverted by AK’s attack. As Ved scrambled to safety, AK, breathless but determined, turned to the group. “Leave the entity to me! Focus on escaping!” he shouted over the cacophony of battle.
Bhum’s eyes were wide with defiance. “No, we’re not leaving anyone behind!” she insisted, her voice resolute. She moved closer to AK, ready to stand by his side.
But Nikh, despite his own pain and exhaustion, stepped forward. “Bhum, listen to him. We’re not equipped to fight this thing. We need to get out while we still can.” He glanced at Haars, who was still directing the others, his face a mask of desperation.
Ria, who had been watching the chaos unfold, nodded in agreement. “Nikh’s right. We can’t keep this up. We need to get to safety and regroup.” Her eyes met Haars’, searching for confirmation.
Haars, seeing the urgency in the situation, made a tough decision. “Alright, everyone, fall back! We’ll cover AK’s retreat.”
The group, though reluctant, began to retreat, moving quickly toward a narrow passageway leading away from the ruins. Haars and Nikh provided cover fire, their shots echoing through the ruins.
Bhum hesitated, casting one last look at AK. “You better come back, you hear me?”
AK nodded, his expression grim. “I will. Just get out of here and stay safe!”
As the group made their way toward the exit, they reached the gate leading out of the ruins. Just as they were about to pass through, the gate began to close with a grinding noise. Panic surged through the group as they pushed forward, but the gate came down with a resounding clang, sealing them off from AK.
The group turned back in horror, seeing AK and the entity now on the opposite side of the closed gate. AK stood alone, facing the monstrous entity as it advanced toward him with renewed fury.
“AK!” Bhum screamed, her voice filled with anguish as she pounded against the gate. “No! We have to get him out!”
Haars, holding Bhum back, spoke urgently. “We have to go now! We’re too exposed here!”
The group, torn and desperate, was forced to turn and flee as the gate sealed their fate. They could only hope that AK would find a way to survive as they escaped into the darkness.
With heavy hearts and grim expressions, the group moved away from the gate, their minds racing with worry for AK. The once-familiar ruins now felt like a tomb of despair. Bhum's eyes were red and wet with tears, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she struggled to process the loss.
Ria and Ved walked beside her, their faces pale and shocked. Ved’s normally sharp eyes were clouded with disbelief, while Ria’s usually confident demeanor was now replaced by a stunned silence.
“We have to find a way off this island,” Ria said finally, her voice trembling. “We can’t stay here. Not with what’s out there.”
What new challenges are ahead for the group ,
what fate awaits for Ak , some questions and some answers in new chapter releasing soon
Chapter 2 Over
See you in next chapter of elementia beyond nature