Chapter 12 – The Regenerating Horror
A deep, heavy voice echoed through the cave.
"Fresh… meat."
The sound alone froze everyone.
From the darkness—
A giant figure stepped forward.
Seven feet tall.
Massive, muscular body.
Rotting flesh stretched over thick muscle.
In its hand—
A huge axe, stained with dried blood.
Behind it—
The fallen zombies rose again.
Their broken bodies twisted back into motion.
---
Hemant (thoughts):
"What the hell… how are they standing again?"
---
Pallavi (thoughts):
"It's… terrifying…"
---
Aditya (thoughts):
"Do we fight… or run?"
---
The giant zombie roared.
The sound shook the cave.
The dead rushed forward.
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu (shouting):
"RUN! Get out of the cave—NOW!"
Everyone turned and ran.
Footsteps echoed wildly.
Breath burned.
The exit appeared—
But—
With a deafening crash, the cave entrance collapsed.
Dust filled the air.
Silence.
---
Outside the cave—
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu, Janvi, Damni, Hemant, Harsh, and Pallavi stumbled out.
They turned back—
The entrance was sealed.
---
Inside the cave—
Nikhil. Aditya. Janit.
Trapped.
---
Aditya:
"Damn it!"
---
Janit (shocked):
"Why did it close?!"
---
The zombies attacked.
Steel clashed.
Heads fell.
Bodies dropped—
And then—
They stood back up.
Again.
And again.
---
Nikhil (shouting):
"They're regenerating!"
His eyes widened.
"It's because of that boss!"
---
The giant zombie charged.
Its hand shot forward—
Grabbing Nikhil by the neck.
The pressure crushed his throat.
Nikhil gasped.
Janit reacted instantly.
He slashed—
The boss's arm fell.
Nikhil dropped to the ground.
Coughing.
But—
The severed arm regenerated.
Flesh twisted.
Bones reformed.
---
Aditya:
"Why does it have this ability?!"
---
The boss roared again.
Zombies surrounded them.
Aditya pulled out a smoke bomb and threw it.
BOOM!
Thick smoke filled the cave.
Vision vanished.
The boss lunged blindly—
Grabbing Nikhil again.
Nikhil screamed and swung his blade—
Slash!
The boss's hand was cut off once more.
---
Outside – Pallavi's Perspective
Pallavi clenched her fists.
Tears welled in her eyes.
Pallavi (thoughts):
"They're still inside…"
"What's happening in there?"
"We have to save them…"
---
Suddenly—
A violent explosion shook the ground.
The cave entrance burst open.
Rocks flew everywhere.
Dust and smoke exploded outward.
Three figures were thrown out—
Bloodied.
Injured.
---
Nikhil.
Aditya.
Janit.
They rolled across the ground.
Barely breathing.
Nikhil slowly stood.
In his hand—
A glowing purple heart, pulsing faintly.
Everyone froze.
The air felt strange.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
Nikhil, Aditya, and Janit stumble out of the cave, their bodies covered in dust and blood.
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu, Damni, Janvi, Pallavi, Hemant, and Harsh rush toward them.
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu (worried, loud):
"Are you all right?!"
Nikhil struggles to stay on his feet. Janit supports him from one side.
*Hemant (tense and panic):
"We should leave this place immediately."
---
After a Few Minutes
Pemmasani Ramalinga Nayudu and all the Candidates sit inside the chariots, heading back toward Vijayanagara Castle.
The forest slowly fades behind them.
The atmosphere is silent… heavy.
Damni(worried, confused):
"Nikhil… what is that in your hand?
And how did you all survive inside that cave?
What was that explosion?"
Nikhil looks down at his hand, then closes his eyes.
Nikhil (exhausted, injured):
"I'll tell you later."
---
Vijayanagara Castle
After several hours, they finally reach the castle.
Everyone walks silently toward their rooms.
The royal physician, Vedh guru ,arrives and treats their injuries.
No one speaks.
Only the sound of breathing fills the room.
---
Scene Shift – Nikhil's Perspective
Nikhil lies on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
Nikhil (thoughts):
"Did I… find some kind of cheat code?"
---
Flashback – Inside the Cave
Smoke fills the cave.
The Giant Zombie Boss grabs Nikhil by the neck again.
Nikhil clenches his teeth.
In one swift motion, he pulls out an extremely powerful explosive, forces it into the zombie's mouth, and kicks its chest hard—throwing himself backward.
BOOM!
The explosion shakes the cave.
Nikhil's vision blurs… then clears.
Amid the blood and shattered flesh, he sees it—
A corrupted heart still pulsing.
Nikhil grabs it.
With Aditya and Janit supporting each other, they escape the collapsing cave.
---
Present Time
Nikhil lies on his bed.
After a few hours, he wakes up.
Aditya is already sitting beside him.
Aditya(concerned, hiding it):
"I hope you're alright."
Nikhil(calm, weak smile):
"Yeah… just a few injuries."
Aditya looks at Nikhil's hand.
Aditya:
"By the way… what is that purple heart?"
Nikhil:
"It dropped from that Zombie Boss."
Suddenly—
SYSTEM ACTIVATED
A robotic voice echoes.
System:
"Item Identified: corrupted Heart."
Nikhil's system interface opens.
Nikhil:
"What is this thing?"
System:
"This is a unique ability core: Army of the Dead*."
Aditya's eyes widen.
System:
"All zombies killed by the user can be temporarily revived and controlled as an army.
Current limitations:
• Usable two times per day
• Duration: 5 seconds"
Nikhil and Aditya exchange shocked looks.
Nikhil:
"And… how do I claim this ability?"
System:
"To fully claim the ability, consumption is required."
Nikhil's face twists in disgust.
Nikhil (thoughts):
"Eat… this thing?Ewwwww... No way."
System:
"Alternative method available.
Speak the command: Claim."
Relief floods Nikhil's face.
Nikhil:
"Claim."
The system confirms.
System:
"Ability successfully claimed."
---
Suddenly—
The door opens.
King of Krishn Dev Rai enters the room, concern visible on his face.
Krishn Dev Rai:
"Are you both safe?"
**Nikhil & Aditya:
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Krishn Dev Rai:
"I heard you fought something… giant."
Nikhil:
"Yes. We defeated it."
Krishn Dev Rai freezes—clearly shocked.
Krishn Dev Rai:
"…I see.
I'm glad you survived."
He turns and leaves the room.
Krishn Dev Rai (thoughts):
"Survival is not enough.
They need more power… much more."
---
Aditya:
I think the king is worried about us.
Nikhil (respectful):
He should be. He's a true king.
Aditya:
So… that ability is yours now?
Nikhil:
"I think so."
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
"Sub-Mission Completed: Teamwork
Reward Received."
---
After a Few Days
Nikhil, Aditya, and Janit fully recover from their injuries.
---Royal Meeting – Vijayanagara
King Krishn Dev Rai stands before everyone.
Krishn Dev Rai:
"The Bahmani soldiers are becoming uncontrollable.
We must act."
Nikhil steps forward.
Nikhil(calm, respectful):
"Your Majesty, I have a request.
We should attack their camps, capture their troops, and weaken them."
The court goes silent.
Krishn Dev Rai:
"But you are all teenagers.
If something goes wrong—"
Aditya:
Nothing will happen, Your Majesty.
This is our best chance to grow stronger.
Janit:
Yes, Your Majesty.
Krishn Dev Rai exhales deeply.
Krishn Dev Rai:
"…Very well.
But on one condition—
You must return before sunset."
Everyone nods.
They leave the hall, returning to their rooms.
Preparing for battle.
Preparing to face the Bahmani soldiers.
---Chapter End