Harsh: The Shadow Protocol

The Shadows Gathering

Read the chilling text—"The next one will die before sunrise. Wake up, Host"—and the violet sigil embedded over Harsh's heart ignited like a searing brand.

His heart hammered violently against his ribs as if trying to burst through his chest. The horrifying visage of the shadow warrior from the hallway mirror flashed vividly behind his eyelids. Paralyzed by overwhelming terror, he backed away, his limbs trembling uncontrollably. The suffocating silence and pitch-black shadows of his apartment felt as though they were closing in to devour him. Desperate to escape the creeping nightmare, Harsh bolted out of his apartment, kicked his motorcycle into gear, and sped through the quiet, midnight streets toward his Anita Aunty’s residence.

DING-DONG! DING-DONG!

At around 1:15 AM, the persistent chime of the doorbell woke Anita from her sleep. The noise stirred her husband, Mohit Uncle, and their 5-year-old son, Rudra.

Anxious, Anita unlatched the front door. Standing on the porch was Harsh—his clothes drenched in cold sweat, his face pale with absolute horror, shaking violently from head to toe.

"Harsh! What happened, beta?" Anita pulled him inside frantically.

Harsh collapsed onto a living room chair, his voice quivering softly: "I... I need to stay here tonight..."

Anita repeatedly asked what had transpired, but terror had locked Harsh's jaws shut. Mohit Uncle stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Harsh's shoulder: "Anita, don't overwhelm him right now. Harsh, go inside and get some rest." We'll talk about this in the morning.

Harsh stood up and walked toward Rudra's room. Anita Aunty and Mohit Uncle retreated to their room, giving him space to rest. Harsh lay down on the bed, but terror kept sleep far away from his eyes. He lay awake for hours, battling the overwhelming fear and exhaustion consuming his mind. Only when his body and mind could no longer endure the physical strain did a restless, heavy sleep finally claim him.

When Harsh finally woke up the next morning, it was already past 10:00 AM. Mohit Uncle and Anita Aunty had already left for their respective offices, and little Rudra was away at school.

Harsh freshened up, grabbed some breakfast, and switched on the living room television. A Breaking News banner flashed across the screen:

BREAKING NEWS: "Another mysterious and brutal attack reported near the forest perimeter! While no body was recovered from the scene, a Highway Truck Driver has vanished without a trace into the night. Deep claw marks were found carved into the truck's metallic door..."

The broadcast sent a sharp jolt through Harsh's mind: "The next one will die before sunrise..."

Gasping, Harsh reached into his pockets—his phone wasn't there! He realized he had left his phone back at his own apartment. He jumped onto his motorcycle and rode frantically back to his flat. Bursting inside, he snatched his phone off the bed and frantically checked his inbox.

There was no new message. He searched deleted items, call logs, and spam folders, but found nothing. It was as if the message had never existed at all. Harsh sank onto the floor, clutching his aching head, swallowed a painkiller, and drifted back to sleep.

Meanwhile, Police Sub-Inspector Amar Tiwari investigated the forest site. He discovered deep claw gouges carved into the tree trunks and black scorch marks on the surrounding boulders, but found no trace of the missing truck driver or solid evidence. Puzzled, he muttered: "What in the world is hiding in these woods? Massive claw gouges... yet no body left behind?"

Having been discharged from the hospital, Natasha was resting in her bedroom. At around 11:00 PM, her ceiling light began to flicker rhythmically—Blink... Blink... Blink...

A foul, decaying metallic odor filled the air. Terrified, Natasha glanced toward the glass window. Peering from the dark abyss beyond the glass were two burning, sulfur-yellow eyes! Gathering her courage, she yanked the curtains open... but there was only the silent, empty night.

Far away from the city, deep within a subterranean dark chamber, faint red candlelight flickered against rough stone walls. Three to four individuals clad in long, hooded black robes stood gathered around a massive stone altar.

Standing at the head of the altar, a towering figure spoke in a deep, booming tone:

"The First Host has awakened."

Another hooded figure bowed his head

reverently and replied:

"Then the hunt begins."

Slowly, a figure standing in the shadows behind the wall stepped into the light. His sleeves were rolled up... and his eyes were blazing with solid Violet flames, exactly like Harsh’s!

Who are these mysterious figures in black robes, and what 'Hunt' are they preparing to unleash? If Harsh is the First Host, who is this second individual with burning Violet eyes... will he become Harsh's greatest ally or his most terrifying enemy?

To uncover the chilling secrets, keep reading — Episode 7!