TNS PreChronicles 2

This is the second piece the world of my comic series, drawn and completed, outside my head. It is a PreChronicle showing various characters from the world. Below are thoughts and stories from each part of the piece, if cut in a grid of 9, beginning from the bottom right to bottom left, then middle right to left, then top right to left.

TNS PreChronicles 2 I

She didn’t know where these people had come from, but the stories they told were so beautiful. A land where you didn't need to search for food...lots of water....and no monsters? She was scared to believe them, but they seemed kind. She looked up at the nice lady and squeezed her hand tight, wondering if she could truly believe.

TNS PreChronicles 2 II

Sumira just kept chanting over and over and over and soon her consciousness disappeared, her energy pushed out around her, and then slowly forward, twisting and turning into the ancient symbol of their ancestors to the frame; and with a bright glow lit it into a portal to their home.

TNS PreChronicles 2 III

Abhimanyu watched Sumira summon their portal home, entranced by her rare ability. How many times had he tried to master it? Sure, he was above the rest of his squad in every other aspect, but he felt like a newb everytime they received a new destination. He felt grateful to have the best of the best in his squad. So many times Sumira had summoned a portal in the nick of time. It was good she had accomplished this so soon too, he could see Puja begin to question their return.

TNS PreChronicles 2 IV

"Puja this is the best course of action", Matri insisted, calmly, "We need to return right now, we can look for the others on dropping the girl off. I will accompany you personally." She kept her appearance cool, using every ounce of energy she could muster to control her voice. She thanked the Gods for Kriti again, having a child had risen her patience and self control to the level of a saint. If this was two years ago, hell, even one year ago, Puja would have been in a lump on the ground, gagged, before she could talk about looking for the others. Their squad may display love and comradery all they liked, but the squad she was in right now completed the mission first, whatever and whoever needed to be sacrificed.

TNS PreChronicles 2 V

Vikshita felt so out of place with these people. Look at how quick Sumira had opened the portal. But now she understood what it took to be the top rank of their company. Was this why Capitaan had assigned her with them? To see how absolutely brutal they were? If this is what’s required to be at the top…..she didn’t know if she was upto it. And even if she was…. How would she go explain the cold calculations needed to Dhairya and Kyakai? This is why Capitaan had chosen her over them…. They would be too soft to bear any of it. She fought another spasm and raised her hand towards the portal. She wanted to forget everything that had happened here and go home. When will Abhimanyu say they can step through?

TNS PreChronicles 2 VI

Akshay felt a viscous sadistic satisfaction to see the helplessness loom over the foreign members. This is what it takes, this is how much pain you need to bear. They were at the top not just because of their excellent physique and prowess, they bore silently and easily the brutal sacrifice of time and loved members into the void that is life. ‘You don’t even know half of it’, he thought. They only lost three members today. And they only disappeared! It’s not like they had to take home the dismembered corpses of squad members they trained with. They didn’t even see anyone get eaten, hear their blood curdling screams as their bones crunched in some hideous monster’s mouth. Just three members who poof! Vanished. They could always return. By luck they even had a member that could summon portals if he really tried! Weak. All these other squads were so weak. Akshay’s eyes gleaned Puja’s tortured expression, and he had to stifle a laugh. “Soft.” he scoffed.

TNS PreChronicles 2 VII

Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, Rudra, She felt the little girl squeeze her hand. But she only barely felt it. She felt like any moment she would turn around and run off to find Rudra. But she couldn’t. This little girl, she felt safest with her. She felt safest with her. Remember, Puja, this little girl feels safest with you. Rudra would want you to take her home first. The moment she hands the little girl over…. Rudra… Rudra… Rudra….

TNS PreChronicles 2 VIII

Chinta infused some of her energy in, just a little lighter for Sumira. She was frustrated. 3 of the other squads’ members had to be left behind and two were distraught. It wasn’t their squad’s responsibility how incompetent the others were but somehow she felt like…. They had failed the mission. The main objective was here, holding 'Puja - S2's' hand, "But", she murmured, "What was the real objective?" Why were the squads mixed together? What did the new Capitaan want? It was ridiculous. But these changes in the court, changes in the school, changes in the squads… the real objective may have been different. She hoped it wasn’t as senseless and soft as…. Taking care of the weak among you. That would change the whole point of the Forces. But this new queen, she was making all these changes….. And if that is the new objective, their squad had failed, miserably. They would probably rank the lowest for not having missed a beat on leaving members behind.

End.