THE EPICS OF VEDVERSE

Chapter: Shadows in the Woods

The morning mist lingered over the resort grounds, the faint chirping of birds harmonizing with the occasional rustle of pine trees. Arjun and Aditi sat on the resort's veranda, wrapped in blankets, savoring cups of hot chocolate. The warmth of the drink contrasted with the chilly air, and the aroma of fresh egg omelets and toasted brown bread wafted from their plates.

Aditi leaned back, looking at Arjun curiously. "So, Arjun, where do you live, and what do you do?"

Arjun took a sip of his drink, smiling slightly. "I live in Mumbai, in the Borivali area. I'm a film director by profession. My last movie, The Heavenly Waters, was a box-office success. And when I'm not directing, I practice martial arts."

Aditi's eyes widened in admiration. "A filmmaker and a martial artist? That's quite an unusual mix. Truly fascinating!"

Arjun chuckled softly. "Well, life's more interesting when you keep it unpredictable."

At that moment, Mohini walked in, her presence radiating warmth. "How are you two doing? Enjoying each other's company?" she asked cheerfully.

Before Aditi could reply, Shreyas appeared from behind, clapping a hand on Arjun's shoulder. "Oh, Aditi, let me warn you," he teased, "this charmer has half the girls in our apartment complex swooning over him. They literally fight over whose balcony he waves at first!"

Everyone burst out laughing. Aditi blushed furiously, hiding her face behind her cup of hot chocolate.

Late that night, Aman, a guest at the resort, decided to take a leisurely walk through the resort's perimeter after dinner. The air was cold and dense with fog, a silence so profound it seemed unnatural. Aman stretched his arms, speaking to himself, "Ah, a little walk after a heavy meal sounds perfect."

As he strolled, his phone screen illuminated his face, scrolling through social media to distract from the eerie quiet. Suddenly, a distant howl pierced the night. Aman paused, furrowing his brows. "Did I just hear something?" he muttered. "Ah, probably my imagination."

But the fog thickened, and the cold intensified. Another howl echoed, this one closer, sending a chill down his spine. Aman quickened his pace, trying to shake off the unease.

A low growl stopped him in his tracks. This time, the sound was unmistakably close. Sweat dripped down his forehead despite the freezing air. Slowly, he turned, his breath catching in his throat.

Standing just a few feet away was a massive beast. Its glowing yellow eyes pierced through the fog, locked onto Aman. The creature stood over ten feet tall, with scales glistening dark green under the moonlight. Its muscular body resembled a lizard's, but its hands were eerily human, ending in sharp claws. Jagged teeth gleamed under its snarling mouth, and a long, whip-like tail swayed menacingly behind it.

Aman screamed, stumbling backward. The creature roared, shaking the ground beneath him. Desperate, Aman grabbed a fallen branch, frantically setting it alight with his lighter to create a makeshift torch. As the monster lunged, he hurled the flaming stick at its face. The beast howled in pain, its claws swiping wildly before retreating into the shadows.

Panting and injured from a fall during his escape, Aman limped toward the faint lights of Shimla. His strength gave out near the outskirts, and he collapsed.

The next evening, Mohini paced her office, discussing Kishan's death with the resort manager. "It's no longer safe for anyone to venture into the forest," she declared. "We'll have to warn our guests immediately."

Before she could continue, her phone rang. It was Mr. Rana, the forest officer. His voice was urgent. "Mrs. Mohini, one of your guests, a young man named Aman, has been admitted to the hospital. He was found unconscious near the forest by our patrolling team. He's injured but stable for now."

Mohini's face paled. "What? Injured? Oh my God. We'll be there immediately," she said, grabbing her keys.

Outside, Arjun sat on a bench, sipping tea. Seeing her distressed, he hurried over. "Aunt Mohini, what's wrong?"

"There's an emergency, Arjun. One of our guests has been attacked. We need to get to the hospital now," she exclaimed.

At the hospital, the scene was grim. Aman lay unconscious, his leg bandaged. Mr. Rana explained, "Our team found him near the forest's edge. He was injured and muttering something about a monster before he passed out. This isn't the work of a regular animal. Whatever it was, it's dangerous."

Arjun looked at the claw marks on Aman's leg, his mind racing. Could this be the creature from his dreams?

Driving back to the resort, Mohini's voice trembled as she spoke. "Arjun, I built this resort after so much hardship. After your Uncle Sudhir's death, this was my way of keeping his memory alive. But now, I don't think we'll survive another year."

Arjun placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Aunt Mohini. We'll figure this out. Maybe it's just a panther or some other animal. Let's not jump to conclusions."

But deep inside, Arjun couldn't shake the nagging feeling that this was something far more sinister.

Suddenly, a figure darted onto the road. Arjun slammed the brakes, the car skidding to a halt. It was Pashupati, the madman from the village.

"I warned you!" he bellowed, his eyes wild. "This land is cursed! The banyan tree, the holy guardian, was felled for your greed. Now the forest's protector has awakened, and it will not rest until it claims what's owed. More will die! The screams of the innocent will echo through these woods!"

Arjun's patience snapped. He leapt out of the car, grabbing Pashupati by the collar. "Enough of your nonsense!" he shouted, delivering a punch.

Mohini pulled him back. "Arjun! Stop! He's not worth it."

Pashupati staggered away, laughing maniacally. "You cannot escape the forest's wrath," he yelled, disappearing into the shadows.

Arjun clenched his fists, his mind made up. "Aunt Mohini, we're going into the forest tonight. It's time to find out what's really happening."

To Be Continued...