Content Advisory - Contains description of violent and frightening scenes and scary pictures.

Read only if comfortable.And remember it's just fiction.

Happy Reading!

~~~

Bani's POV

We were back to where it all started.

I think that's what the priest's spirit meant with Snakes Tail.

It ends where it starts.

We were in Goa moving inside the abandoned church.

We paved our way through dead plants.
The windows were dark and clouded with dust. It almost felt like someone was peeking through them and looking at us.
We kept moving and finally reached the entrance.

"GET INSIDE! "

Mayuri told Karun who was on gunpoint.

" Why are we back here ? "

He asked.

"Because we need to perform the ritual here. "

I said firmly.

We moved inside. We coughed as dust was all around. The place felt even more creepier than the last time, maybe because now we knew how dangerous this place. The voice of creeking doors, chirping crickets and cobwebs all around was scary.

But we knew this was the only way.

"Mayuri, Veer take Karun to the place where we played the game. I will get the box.. "

I said.

"I will come with you.. "

Veer said.

"No Veer, you go with Mayuri. What if Karun tries to run away and dont worry my turn is over. It's you turn now. So I will be safe. We have to complete this before your turn. "

I said and Veer sighed and nodded.

"Take care.. "

He said and kissed on my forehead as he left with them.

I slowly paved my way towards the store room. I was a bit nervous but I knew Devon will not break the rule of his game. If he wants to kill me, he might use the other players.

I had to be fast. Very fast.

I immediately went towards the place where the box was kept and picked it up. My hand shivered for a second realising what this box was capable of doing.
I took it in my hands and started leaving when I felt like someone crossed me from behind. I immediately turned to look but no one was there.

I again started moving as I felt a hand on my shoulder. My heart was beating fast as I turned to look at the person behind me.

As I turned I looked at a woman wearing all white. A bindi adoring her forehead. She didn't look creepy rather angelic.

"Who are you..? "

I asked.

She just smiled and a tear fell from her eyes.

"BANI!!!! "

I heard Veer calling my name from the hall and I turned.

"COMING "

I said and again turned back to look at the woman but to my dismay no one was there.

Did I just imagine it? Or is Devon playing a new game.

I immediately started walking towards the room for the ritual calming my heart down.

"Veer.. It's here.. "

I said handing him the box.

"Hold this "

Veer said to karun.

"And this as well.. "

He said handing him the knife.

"What's this for..? "

He asked.

"JUST HOLD IT! "

Mayuri said still pointing the gun at him.
He held it in his hand.

" Now take this spell and start reading it. Don't stop till you read it seven times.. "

I said and Karun nodded.

Karun held the spell and looked at it as he read it for the first time

"I have called upon an evil,
Silence my voice so the evil is no more"

He said.

A loud silence was heard back.

"I have called upon an evil,
Silence my voice so the evil is no more"

He said again but this time it wasn't
silence which was heard.

~~~

Veer's POV.

A glass vase came in Karun's direction as he dodged it. He panicked and stopped chanting.

Tears formed in his eyes.

"DON'T STOP CHANTING. CONTINUE"

Bani said.

"But the game.. "

He stammered.

"DO IT KARUN"

Mayuri shouted.

"I have called upon an evil,
Silence my voice so the evil is no more"

Karun said for the third time.

A gush of air was felt around us. We almost felt that the ground hwas moving from underneath.

"I have called upon an evil,
Silence my voice so the evil is no more"

He said for the fourth time.

We were looking all around . We had to protect Karun and each other as well when I suddenly felt a hold on my hand.
I turned to look at the person and it was Mayuri. Her eyes had turned completely red just like Devon's eyes in the painting . The black veins popping up along with her claw like hands.

" TRUTH OR DARE VEERANSHU? ".

She asked with a smirk.

Karun again stopped chanting looking at the Veer.

" KARUN YOU STOP ONE MORE FUCKING TIME AND I WILL PUT THIS BULLET IN YOUR HEAD"

Bani shouted at Karun holding the gun that Mayuri had dropped . She was trying to make Karun focus by being hard on him.

"I have called upon an evil,
Silence my voice so the evil is no more"

He said for the fifth time.

" DARE.. "

I said and Bani looked at with dilated pupils.

"WHAT THE HELL VEER! "

She shouted with fear in her eyes.

Mayuri moved closer to my ear and whispered the dare. Soon she stumbled a little as Devon left her body.

I was still for a second by hearing the dare. Everything was over now.

Everything shattered. But I had to be strong for my sweetheart. I will not let anything happen to her or Mayuri.
I started walking out .

"Where are you going??? "

Bani shouted as she gave the gun to Mayuri.

" I have to go.. "

I said not being able to face her. Tears were forming in my eyes.

" Bani sweetheart.. Remember one thing forever you are the light amidst the darkness. You are the cure to the cruelty of people. You are a previous angel in this demonic world. But being good means sacrifices . Sacrifice for the bigger good. You remember when we started playing this game. You chose the world above us because that was for better. You have to do this again..? "

I said cupping her face as she looked confused.

"What.. What do you mean? "

She asked as tears slipped through her eyes. She was scared.

" I love you sweetheart and I will keep loving you for eternity. Dua karunga ki har janam main mujhe tumhari mohhabat naseeb ho.. "

I said as tears fell from my eyes.

" Tum aesi batein kyun kar rahe ho
Veer? "

She asked vulnerably. But I again ignored her question.

" You have a habit of blaming yourself for everything but remember it's not your fault . Don't blame yourself for anything. You gave me life Bani and I am willing it lose it for you.

Tumhi ne zindagi di aur abb apni zindagi ko bachaane ke liye main faanaah hona chahta hum. "

I said kissing on her forehead.

"Kya bakwas kar rahe ho Veer..? "

She said holding my shirt's collar. She was panicking. Her heart was breaking.

" What is the dare? Why did you fucking choose the dare? "

She screamed at me as tears fell from her eyes.

"Because if I didn't then you guys had to and couldn't afford lose you. Mayuri is your sister and if anything happens to you.. You wouldn't be able to live and Karun we need him.. "

I said and a tight slap landed on my cheek.

"Really? Really? Really Veeranshu Singhania? And what do you think I can live without you.. I fucking love you dammit.."

She said crying and screaming.

"I love you too.. "

I said crying.

" What is the Dare?

She asked. Her lips were trembling.

"To choose between you both.. "

I said.

"Then choose Bani.. She is the love of your life.. "

Mayuri said.

"To choose who to kill between
you two.. "

I said and Bani looked at me shocked and even Mayuri.

"Wh.. What? "

Bani said almost unbalancing as I held her from falling.

" You can't leave me.. You.. You can't... "

She said within herself.

"I have to.. "

I said and started walking out.

~~

Author's POV

As Bani saw him walking out. My senses came back. I can't be weak. I have to be strong for him.

"Mayuri make him complete the ritual. I am not leaving Veeranshu.. "

Bani said and went towards Veeranshu.

~~~

" CONTINUE ".

Mayuri said and Karun said the spell for sixth time.

"I have called upon an evil,
Silence my voice so the evil is no more"

~~~

Bani was out now.

She went towards Veer and held his hand.

"You can't leave.. I will not let that happen.."

She said firmly.

"Bani.. Sweetheart.. Don't make this more tough.. "

Veer said breaking down.

" You are not leaving me Veeranshu Singhania because if you leave then there will no point of my existence. I will die with you. Maybe my body will be alive but my soul will be damaged forever. "

She said as tears slipped from her eyes.

" You have to live sweetheart to save others. I will be waiting for you at the other side. I love you so much.. "

He said and broke into cries as he captured her lips thinking it to be their last moment together.

The kiss was full of love. It was as if Veer was saying his last goodbye by pouring out his soul for her.

" Goodbye sweetheart.. "

He said parting.

~~~

Elsewhere.

"Say it one last time.. "

Mayuri said.

"I have called upon an evil,
Silence my voice so the evil is no more"

He said for the seventh time.

For a moment they paused.

"Is it over..? ".

He asked being scared.

" Pick up the knife! "

Mayuri said.

"Wh.. What? "

Karun said

"I SAID PICKING UP THE FUCKING KNIFE"

She shouted and he picked the knife.

"Cut your tongue and put it in the box "

She said.

"What the helllll?? "

He shouted.

" I will not to that and your friends aren't here which means I can overpower
you.. "

He said.

" I can kill you right now! "

Mayuri screamed.

"Go ahead and do it but that will kill you too. "

He said.

Mayuri put the gun down.

" Karun please.. This game took everything away from us. Our friends, our dreams and our normal life. Please trust us.. This is the only choice. It's the end.. "

She said calmly.

~~~

"Sorry Veer but I won't let you do this.. "

Bani said and held Veer's hand firmly.

"Bani stop this! "

He said trying to get his hand out of her hold.

"Bani he will overpower me soon. I refused the dare.. "

He said and put some strength to free himself but Bani kicked on his knees and pushed him on the ground. She was on top of him holding his hand firmly.

"Sweetheart.. "

He said and a tear fell from his eyes .
Slowly his eye color started changing just like Mayuri's, the blood droplets starting falling from his eyes as his skin color faded..

A creepy smile formed on his lips as claw marks appeared on his face.

" MAYURI! "

Bani shouted to get some help.

~~~

"I can't believe I am agreeing to this.. "

Karun said and held the knife in his hand.

That's when they hear Bani's voice.

" MAYURI! "

"Karun.. I will help her.. You don't stop! "

She said and walked out as Karun took the knife near his tongue. His hands were shaking as he put the first cut and a loud cry left from his mouth.

"Aahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

He shouted and still kept cutting his tongue as blood pooled in his mouth and even fell on the ground.

~~~

Mayuri came out and saw Veer holding Bani's neck in his demonic appearance.

"Ma... Mayu.. Mayuri stop him.. "

Bani said and Mayuir immediately went towards him. She hit on his hand again and again but he didn't budge.
She finally took the gun and shot on his leg.

Veer left Bani's neck and fell on the ground.

"We have to get him in! "

Bani shouted.

"Yes.. "

They said and started pulling Veer but Veer again held both their necks.

Bani and Mayuri were choking for Oxygen but not able to move Veer's grasp on their neck.

"Sh.. Shoot.. "

Mayuri said feebly.

Bani moved her hands and took the gun in her hands. Her hands were shaking as she fired another bullet on his other leg.
He left the hold and Bani and Mayuri held his legs to take him inside.

They were dragging him. Tears were falling from Bani's eyes seeing the love of her life in such a state but she didn't have any option.

As they were dragging him , he was trying to hold on to the ground. Claw marks were on the ground.

They were now inside .

Karun had cut his tongue half way. He panicked looking at Veer but didn't stop.
Veer gave a creepy smile to Karun and looked at the knife in his hand.

Mayuri and Bani were still holding him when suddenly his legs twisted half away.

"VEERRRR"

A scream came out of Bani and Mayuri 's mouth as their grasp on his legs slipped.
Veer immediately stood on his arms and his legs upwards half turned.

He started moving towards Karun in speed and immediately held the knife.
Karun held on to it and a fight between them for knife accelerated.Veer was trying to hold the knife and Karun too.
Their fight continued when suddenly a stabbing sound was heard.

Mayuri and Bani looked shocked listening to it.

Tears fell from their eyes as they looked and Karun's body fell on the ground.

"OH MY GOD! "

Mayuri screamed.

Veer gave a creepy smile and was about to stab himself too when Bani went and held his hand.

"MAYURI "

She called her name out. Mayuri was in state of shock. Their last hope was actually dead.

Mayuri hearing her name came out of her trance and looked at Veer.

Bani held Veer's one hand and Mayuri held another.

Veer's power was overpowering due to Devon.

They were struggling with his strength when he spit blood on our face and laughed with his demonic voice.

"I WON'T LET YOU TAKE HIM AWAY DEVON"

Bani said as tears fell from her eyes. And they saw a single twar falling from Veer's eyes as well because though the demon was overpowering, Veer was still in there.

Mayuri kept looking at them for a second with a placid expression.

"Ba.. Bani.."

Mayuri said.

"You.. You know I always thought you were perfect.. "

She said still holding Veer's hand.

"Mayuri what are you saying? "

Bani asked.

"I always thought you were perfect. I wanted to become like you...Even Better than you sometimes and I guess today is a chance.. "

She said as tear slipped from her eyes.

"What do you mean? "

Bani asked being confused.

"I will come first in the game of selflessness today. "

She smiled amidst her tears.

" Mayuri wh.. What are you saying? "

Bani asked when suddenly Mayuri held Veer's hand which had the knife and pierced it in her stomach.

"MAYURIIIIIIIIIII "

Bani shouted as tears fell from her eyes.
She left her hold on Veer whose color slowly started coming back to normal.

"Mayu.. Mayu.. Why did you do this? "

Bani asked crying and holding her.
Veer also slowly opened his eyes. He couldnt get up due to condition of his legs.

"You have sacri.. Sacrificed alot of times in you life and no... Now.. I.. It's
my turn.. "

Bani said and cried. Tears slipped from Veer's eyes as well.

"Live happily you too. Dad used to... To say ev.. Everything has a lo... Loophole.. Look for it.. "

She said holding Bani's hand.

"No Mayuri.. "

Bani said crying profusely.

"It's time for me to go.."

She said.

"And Veer.. Maybe in a twisted way.. B... But I did love you.. "

She said and closed her forever.

Bani and Veer cried as they lost everyone.

All their friends we're gone and Karun their last hope too.

~~~

"Veer sab khatam hogaya.. "

She said crying.

"Ba.. Bani.. Sam.. Sambhalo.. Andhera kitna bhi taqatwar hojaye usse roshni hi mita sakti hein.. "

He said struggling with his own pain. He couldn't feel his lower body.

"Par kaise Veer.. "

Bani said crying.

"Mayuri ne sahi kaha.. Loophole har cheez main hota hein.. We.. We just have to calm down and think .. "

Veer said.

Both of them were thinking for any clue when something hit Veer's brain.

"Bani you remember Karun said we can add people from here..! "

Veer said.

"Yes.. But what does that mean...? "

I asked.

" Do you trust me Bani? "

He asked

"More than myself "

She answered.

"He will ask you the question .. Refuse to play ! "

He said and Bani looked at him for a moment.

"Okay.. "

She said in a blink. She trusted Veer more than anything.

Slowly few minutes passed. Each moment was killing them.

The dead body of Mayuri and Karun lying on the cold ground.

Suddenly a gush of cold wind hit them as we saw Karun's corpse's finger moving.
Their heart was beating loud as Karun's body got up with the same creepy smile.

"You have being waiting for me.. "

He said and laughed.

" I like it.. "

He said again.

"So Bani truth or Dare? "

He asked.

Bani took a deep breathe and said.

"I REFUSE TO PLAY "

"Tch.. Tch.. Wrong call.. Sweetheart.. "

He said and Karun's body fell on the ground as the dark energy entered inside Bani's mouth.

Bani held her neck with pain but slowly all the energy got inside her and her body turned black.

She held the gun in her hand and pointes towards her head.

"YOU CANNOT KILL HER DEVON! "

Veer said from the ground.

Bani looked at Veer.

"She refused to play because we have a new player.. "

Bani frowned.

" TRUTH OR DARE DEVON? "

Veer asked and Bani looked shocked.

" I AM NOT A PART OF THIS GAME, I AM IT'S MASTER "

Bani said in demonic voice.

" Rules are rules Devon. And you play fair I guess. "

Veer said and Bani paused for a second.

"TRUTH"

She said.

"How can we end this game Devon? "

Veer asked.

"You can't because Karun was your only medium but now he is dead. The only choice is to find new players but no one's around and you have less time.. "

She said with a smirk and Devon left her body.

Bani gained her senses.

"VEER.. what happened? "

She asked as tear fell from Veer's eyes.

"There is no way Bani. No way.. "

He said vulnerably.

" But what happened? Please tell me.. "

She said cupping Veer's face.

" He said that Karun was our only medium but now he is dead. The only choice is to find new players but no one's around and wehave less time..its GAME OVER "

He said and Bani kept thinking.

" NO IT ISN'T "

She said.

~~

Few hours later

Bani's POV

The first rays of sun started hitting our skin. This morning was a morning of life. A morning after many scary nights. Night that took lives. Nights that destroyed us.
But this morning was a new beginning. A morning that gave us a second chance.

I was making Veer sit in the car. He
needed medical help.

THE GAME WAS NOW OVER.

I sat on the driving seat and drove.
The wind was hitting my skin. As if calling me for my hypocrisy.

We were freed but I did something which I would never forgive myself for.

When Mayuri told me that one day I will choose my loved ones over my morales, she was right. And I did that.

A tear slipped through my eyes as I held Veer's hand.

~~~

@Banisharma updated Gehraiyan - Author's Note.

A notification hit all the 7 million readers of her book and immediately most of them opened to look at its content which said -

"If someone would have told me that what would I have choose between my morales and anything else. I would have always chose my morales.

I always felt that ethics drive people forward.

But amidst the fear of losing our loved ones we often fail to go on that path.
And the same happened with me.

We visited Goa and didn't even realise that a game would follow us back. A Demon.

The game which said.

SAY THE TRUTH OR YOU DIE
DO THE DARE OR YOU DIE
REFUSE TO PLAY AND YOU DIE!

One by one we lost all our friends.
The only way of surviving was to add more people by inviting them from the abandoned church.

But it never said that the one we were inviting to play the game must be in present at that place.

I am sorry but this is the only way...

MY DEAR READERS,TRUTH OR DARE?

~~~

How was the final showdown?

How was the ending 👀?

Mayuri died saving them 😭

Which point was most shocking to you?

Vani survived! 😭😭❤

Did you guys like the story?

Anyways we still have two bonus chapters coming up! Excited?

BTW, the above image of that woman in white I created through AI! Did you like it? And who do you think that was? 👀

Aaj ka random question -

How much do you guys love me? 🤭

Stay tuned!

Love you all.