Chapter 18: The Absolutely Ridiculous Aftermath
Kiran's Grand Speech (That No One Asked For)
The dust was still settling. The chamber, once dark and eerie, now felt oddly… normal. No shadows bleeding from the walls, no eldritch whispers, no giant cosmic horror trying to erase their memories.
Kiran took a deep breath, stepping forward like a dramatic hero. He dusted off his tattered cloak, cleared his throat, and raised a single finger.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, "we have just survived the impossible! We have defied the laws of the universe, stared into the abyss, and—"
Aadhya shoved him aside. "Kiran. Shut up."
Kiran gasped in mock offense. "Excuse me! I was in the middle of a victory speech! Do you know how rare it is to have moments like this? I was going to say something inspiring!"
Barry folded his arms. "Oh yeah? Like what?"
Kiran dramatically turned, placing a hand on his heart. "Something deep, something meaningful, something that—"
A loose brick from the ceiling promptly fell on his head.
THUNK.
Kiran collapsed like a sack of potatoes.
Barry nodded. "Yep. That checks out."
Aadhya smirked. "Fate itself is telling him to shut up."
Kiran, groaning, raised a weak fist from the floor. "I hate this world."
---
The Unexpected Guest
Just as they were about to catch their breath, they heard it—footsteps.
A slow, deliberate clapping echoed through the chamber.
A voice, smooth as silk, called out: "Well, well, well. Look at you three, still alive. I have to say, I'm mildly impressed."
Barry immediately grabbed his sword. Aadhya tensed, ready for battle.
Kiran, still sprawled on the floor, just groaned. "Oh great. What now?"
Out of the darkness stepped a man—a very well-dressed man.
He wore a sleek black suit, completely inappropriate for a place like this, paired with a golden tie that shimmered under the dim torchlight. His slicked-back hair and smug grin completed the look of someone who definitely knew too much and was about to be annoying about it.
Kiran sat up. "Oh no. I already hate him."
The man grinned wider. "Oh? But we've only just met. That's a little unfair, don't you think?"
Barry scowled. "Who are you?"
The man adjusted his tie. "Ah, introductions. Of course. My name is… well, you can call me Mr. Smiles."
Kiran gagged. "NOPE. ABSOLUTELY NOT. I refuse to take orders from a guy named Mr. Smiles!"
Aadhya narrowed her eyes. "We didn't say we were taking orders."
Mr. Smiles chuckled. "Ah, but you will."
Kiran crossed his arms. "Why? Because you're rich and powerful?"
Mr. Smiles leaned in, his golden eyes gleaming. "No, because I know exactly what you just fought."
Silence.
Barry's grip on his sword tightened. "Go on."
Mr. Smiles adjusted his cufflinks. "You just encountered the Guardian of the Unseen One. Most people don't even survive looking at it, let alone fighting it."
Kiran rolled his eyes. "Oh, please. We had an amazing strategy."
Barry coughed. "You threw a rock."
Kiran jabbed a finger at him. "A rock with passion!"
Mr. Smiles laughed. "Oh, you're fun. I like you."
Kiran pointed at him. "Don't. Don't say that. Every time someone says they like me, something terrible happens."
Mr. Smiles smirked. "Oh, you have no idea."
---
The Real Problem
Mr. Smiles paced, hands behind his back. "Let me tell you why your little victory isn't really a victory."
Aadhya frowned. "We destroyed the Guardian."
Mr. Smiles turned, smirking. "Did you?"
Barry hesitated. "…Didn't we?"
Kiran, already sensing bad news, waved his arms. "No. No! We are not doing this! We won, okay?! No take-backs!"
Mr. Smiles simply gestured toward the chamber walls.
The shadows were returning.
Dark tendrils crept up the stone, reforming exactly where the Guardian had fallen. The eerie whispers were back. The air grew colder.
Barry muttered, "Oh, you have got to be kidding me."
Mr. Smiles clicked his tongue. "You see, you didn't defeat the Guardian. You just… annoyed it. Congratulations."
Kiran's eye twitched. "We risked our lives… for nothing?!"
Mr. Smiles shrugged. "I wouldn't say nothing. You bought yourself some time."
Aadhya clenched her fists. "Then how do we stop it?"
Mr. Smiles grinned. "That's where I come in. I know a way. But, of course…" He flashed a wicked smile. "It won't be free."
Kiran groaned. "Great. Here comes the 'mysterious deal' part."
Barry frowned. "What do you want?"
Mr. Smiles leaned forward. "I want you to steal something for me."
Silence.
Kiran clapped his hands together. "Welp. I vote no."
Aadhya raised an eyebrow. "Steal what?"
Mr. Smiles' grin widened.
"The Heart of the Forgotten."
Barry blinked. "The what?"
Kiran's stomach dropped. "Ohhh no. Nope. That sounds too important. We're gonna get arrested. I can feel it."
Aadhya ignored Kiran. "Where is it?"
Mr. Smiles chuckled. "Ah, now that's the tricky part."
He turned, motioning toward the shadows.
"It's currently in the possession of the Unseen One itself."
Silence.
Then—
Kiran threw up his hands. "WHY IS IT ALWAYS THE WORST POSSIBLE OPTION?!"
Barry sighed. "You're saying we have to steal from a literal cosmic god?"
Mr. Smiles nodded. "Indeed."
Kiran wheezed. "I want to go home."
Aadhya, ever fearless, nodded. "We'll do it."
Barry groaned. "Aadhya!"
Kiran clutched his head. "WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE."
Mr. Smiles grinned. "Excellent."
And with that, their worst possible decision was set in motion.
To Be Continued…