THE ANTHROPOPHAGUS

THE FALLEN HERO!

The first rays of dawn cast long shadows over the village of Umshing, painting an eerie calm over the events of the previous night. David, Aasha, Maya, and Harshit, now joined by Nandini, had barely caught their breath. The small cottage they called their base was a hive of tension and silent resolve.



As they sat around the table, David briefed the group on the witness's testimony, detailing Bhairava's involvement in the guest house murders. Harshit, his face a mask of determination, listened intently but his mind was elsewhere. The revelation of Bhairava being his brother weighed heavily on him.

Rajiv Verma, with newfound hope in his eyes, clasped Harshit's hand. "You have to stop him, Harshit. You're the only one who can."

Harshit nodded, a fierce resolve in his eyes. "I will, Rajiv ji. I promise you that."

That night, as the group planned their next move, Harshit excused himself to get some air. The village, bathed in the glow of the full moon, seemed deceptively peaceful. He wandered into the forest, his thoughts a whirlwind of memories and fears. He had to confront Bhairava, not just for the village or his friends, but for himself.



As he walked deeper into the forest, a sense of foreboding settled over him. The trees whispered secrets, and the shadows seemed to move with a life of their own. Suddenly, a rustling sound caught his attention. Harshit turned, expecting to see an animal, but found nothing. The air grew colder, and a chill ran down his spine.

" Harshit," a voice whispered, soft and sinister.

He spun around, heart pounding. Standing before him was Bhairava, his eyes glowing with a malevolent light. "Brother," Bhairava sneered, "you should have stayed away."



Harshit stepped back, his breath quickening. "Bhairava, this has to end. Your revenge, your dark magic—it stops now."

Bhairava laughed, a sound that echoed through the forest like a death knell. "You think you can stop me? You are nothing but a shadow of what I am."

Before Harshit could react, Bhairava raised his hand, and a wave of darkness engulfed him. Harshit struggled, his vision blurring as he felt an icy grip tighten around his heart. Pain seared through his body, and he collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.

Bhairava stood over him, his face twisted in a cruel smile.



"Do you remember, Harshit? Do you remember how our family was torn apart? How I was cast out, forced to embrace the darkness while you were showered with love and light?"

Harshit coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "Bhairava, please... you don't have to do this. We can find another way."



Bhairava's eyes flashed with fury. "Another way? There is no other way! You were always the favorite, always the one they chose. While I suffered, you thrived. Now, you will know my pain."

He raised his hand again, and the shadows around them writhed like living things. "This is for all the years I spent in the dark, alone and forgotten. This is for the pain they inflicted on me."

Bhairava stepped closer, his voice cold and mocking. "You were always the weaker one, Harshit. Always trying to be the hero. But you can't save anyone, not even yourself."