Khyak: Shadows over Bhaktapur

Universe: NFU – Nepali Folklore Universe

Setting: 1700s Bhaktapur, narrow cobbled streets, temples, and traditional Newar homes. One year after the Lakhey attack in Kathmandu.

PROLOGUE

Fog blankets the city. Bells toll from Nyatapola Temple. Villagers whisper rumors in the streets.

Narration (Voice-over):

“भक्तपुरको गल्लीहरू कहिले खामोश थिएनन्, तर अहिले... डर छायो। अर्को राक्षस आएको छ। यो ख्याक हो—मान्छे खाइदिने भयानक प्राणी।”

("Bhaktapur’s alleys were never silent, but now… fear looms. Another demon has come. The Khyak—terrible eater of humans.")

Close-up of a torn lantern swinging. Shadows twist unnaturally. A guttural growl shakes a rooftop.

ACT I – VILLAGE UNDER SHADOWS

Scene 1 – Introduction of MC

MC: Gopal, late 20s, lean, street-smart, son of a pottery maker. He survived the Lakhey chaos in Kathmandu as a child and grew up hearing tales of demons. Unlike Arjun, he is not a soldier—he relies on cunning, agility, and local lore.

Gopal navigates narrow alleys, balancing clay pots. He notices a neighbor missing; blood stains a doorstep.

Gopal (whispering):

“फेरि प्राणी आएको छ। यसपालि लखेको जस्तो होइन।”

("The creature is here again. Not like the Lakhey this time.")

Villagers peek from windows, holding candles, praying silently.

Scene 2 – Khyak’s First Attack

Night falls. A shadow leaps across rooftops. The Khyak is smaller but faster than Lakhey, with hunched back, sharp teeth, and long clawed fingers. It shrieks inhumanly.

Gopal witnesses it dragging a woman into the shadows.

Villager (screaming):

“बचाऊ! बचाऊ!”

("Help! Help!")

Gopal attempts to chase but the creature vanishes into the foggy streets.

ACT II – JOURNEY AND TRIALS

Scene 3 – Seeking Wisdom

Gopal visits Dhāmī Maya, a female shaman living near Taumadhi Square.

Maya:

“ख्याक—पुरानो राक्षस हो। यो अरू प्राणी जस्तै होईन। यो डर र शोकमा बल पाउँछ। तिमी आफ्नो डर सामना गर्न सक्छौं?”

("Khyak is an ancient demon. Not like any other. It feeds on fear and sorrow. Can you face your own fear?")

Maya gives him sacred herbs and a dagger carved from the roots of a sacred fig tree.

Gopal:

“म डराउँछु, तर अरूलाई जोगाउनुपर्छ।”

("I am afraid, but I must protect others.")

Scene 4 – Training Montage / Sadness

Gopal trains across rooftops, hides in temples, and sharpens his dagger. He remembers a child from his neighborhood who died last year to Lakhey.

Flashback of the child crying:

“अंकल, म डराउँछु।”

("Uncle, I’m scared.")

Gopal fights his own guilt, silent tears on his face. The scene ends with him preparing traps for the Khyak.

ACT III – CONFRONTATION

Scene 5 – Alley Chase & Fight

Rain pours over Bhaktapur’s streets. Khyak leaps between rooftops, hissing.

Gopal throws nets and swings from temple eaves. The creature scratches walls, shrieks, throws garbage and bricks at him.

Gopal (shouting):

“आज तिमीलाई रोक्छु!”

("Today, I stop you!")

Close combat ensues. Gopal stabs with his sacred dagger, but Khyak is fast, dodges, and retaliates. Villagers watch in terror from windows. The battle moves from narrow alleys to the Taumadhi Square steps.

Scene 6 – Sadness & Motivation

Gopal is pinned, bleeding, exhausted. He sees the specter of the child who died from Lakhey, whispering:

“अँध्यारोको सामना गर। डरले हार्न नदेऊ।”

("Face the darkness. Do not let fear defeat you.")

This vision reinvigorates him. Tears and rage fuel his next move.

Scene 7 – Final Strike

Gopal lures Khyak into a sacred temple courtyard. Using the herbs and dagger, chants an ancient mantra while dodging attacks. The demon screeches, thrashes, and finally collapses into a pit of fire ignited by oil lamps and incense.

The city is silent, only the rain dripping on stone. Villagers come out, mourning losses but relieved.

EPILOGUE

Narration (Voice-over):

“भक्तपुरको गल्लीहरू फेरि शान्त भए। तर कथा भनिन्छ—हरेक राक्षस मरेको छैन। कहिले काहीँ उनी फेरि उठ्छन्, केवल तब मात्र जब मानव डर भुल्छन्।”

("Bhaktapur’s alleys are quiet again. But tales say—not every demon dies. Sometimes they rise again, only when humans forget their fear.")

Final shot: a shadow flickers across a rooftop, barely visible under the moonlight.

New Characters

Gopal (Hero): Agile, clever, emotionally driven by guilt and responsibility. Uses traps, sacred herbs, and urban agility rather than brute force.

Khyak (Villain): Smaller than Lakhey but extremely fast, feeds on human fear and sorrow. Hunchbacked, elongated limbs, claws and teeth sharper than the previous demon. Sadistic and cunning.

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