Lone Wolf
My process was on the 1st floor so it is safe to say that we were the first to reach the transport area when the sirens were blaring and the announcement was made. I was also the first person to reach the office gate when the army trucks had reached our office but alas, fate was without a promise. The first of the pods landed right in front of the company, over a few poor people. They did not stand a chance but the once who had… my colleague, Hussain… Sneha… was there any way we could save them? Maybe we could if we knew what we were up against. If we were prepared to face the reality that… we were not alone in this universe. You were there, isn’t it, Amrita? Gaurav, you were there too? Why didn’t you guys try to save her? No answer, isn’t it? No, it is not cowardice. No one is blaming anyone. Back at that time, we were dealing with an unknown enemy, an unknown entity… aliens with advanced technology that we have only read in books, saw in movies, saw in videogames. There is nothing we could have done. We were not prepared. We didn’t expect this. We were fortunate to have escaped. There were 20 army men who had come to rescue us, take us to the bunkers but none of them survived. They were just 4 yet they slaughtered those 20 brave souls without mercy and destroyed all the trucks. I cannot really say where I was or where I was going except that I saw a crashed helicopter somewhere and a few Asuras were scouting it. I hid myself watching as I helplessly saw the Asuras kill the pilot and another survivor of the crash. After which, I noticed something. They were speaking in Sanskrit. Not that I understood much but I could make out that they were searching for something. Test of survival, if I have to call it. I walked forward and grabbed a rifle from one of the fallen soldiers. Tried to utilize my knowledge of weaponry but it is not that easy, is it? I even grabbed a dagger just in case I run into one of them. You know what, wish granted. I turned around to see a Asura growling at me. He had that plasma gun in hand and fired it. I dodged it and ran as fast as possible from there. Fear is a terrible thing. It makes you forget what you are capable of. I was equipped with a gun and a dagger yet I was running. As if as an answer, I heard a voice. Trust me, it was clear as me talking to you people right now. “Don’t fear. Listen to what I am saying. Find a high ground and wait for my signal.” Said the voice. I stood in one place wondering where that sound came from. It spoke again, “You are not hallucinating. Listen to me carefully. You are a brave man but your enemy is a tough breed. You need to use your mind more than your strength. The Asura is coming this way. Find a higher ground.” I heeded that voice. I spotted an open shaft on a fallen building and quickly got into it. Soon, the Asura turned up and was searching for me. “Equip your dagger and wait for my signal.” Said the voice. I holstered the rifle and got ready with the dagger. The Asura was speaking to someone on his radio. Interesting, a long history of questions answered as to how advanced these species are. They are very much advanced. How else would they travel millions of miles to our planet in an effort to capture it? “On my mark, Mohit. Get ready.” The voice said. The Asura came close to the shaft and now, was just below me. “You cannot attack it directly. The armor system is really powerful but it has its weaknesses. All you need to do is remember them. The armor around the nape is weak. A strong thrust from your dagger… and he is finished. Take your chance... NOW” The voice said. I hesitated at first. I have never killed before but if I had to survive, then I had to take my chance. I jumped down with a loud cry and stabbed the nape area. The Asura growled in pain. I held on to his back and tried to take out the dagger but it was stuck. Before, I could do something, the Asura caught hold of me and threw me to the ground. I watched in horror as the Asura effortlessly took out the dagger from his nape. He was in pain but he was still standing. He brandished the dagger and looked at me. Out of anger, he removed his helmet and threw it aside revealing his face. He was truly ferocious. No doubt, this is a kind that was… and is still known for their brutality in warfare. I was reminded of stories about MAHISASURA, RAKTABIJA, HIRANYAKASIPU… ring a bell? “Equip your weapon.” The voice said. I heeded and aimed the rifle. As I said, it was not easy. “I am not a soldier. I am a civilian. I have never used a weapon before.” I spoke. “I am aware, Mohit. However, there is always a first and at the moment, I want you to survive. Listen to me carefully and you will live.” The voice said. The asura growled loudly and lunged forward, I dodged in time and moved to a safe distance. “Good. You do have survival skills. Your enemy is strong in numbers and muscles but that is their only strength. You will know what I mean in time.” Said the voice. The asura was in rage and was just running around trying to grab me but I kept dodging him. He started taunting me to get under my skin. That is when I realized what the voice was trying to say. Their weakness apart from a few areas in their armor was their impatience and that is when… once again all those stories about the asuras sprang up in my mind. Mahisasura wanted the gift of immortality but Lord Brahma refused. Instead, the former requested that his death only be in the hands of a woman. It was granted. Mahisasura thought the boon to be equal to the gift of immortality but call it a ‘technical snag’, he was killed by a woman. The Mother of all mothers, Goddess Durga, created by the Gods to destroy him. Makes you wonder as to why did Mahisasura even asked for immortality in the first place when he could have just controlled his mind and ruled his kingdom wisely. The reason why our enemy has been successful at first is because they use their strength of numbers to reign hell on the innocents. Their tactic is always a surprise attack and with advanced technology at their disposal, they do quite well in their onslaught. However, when you try to stall them and fight back (you may win or lose, but that is a different thing), that is when you realize that they do not use their brains in combat. Winning by using brute force with slight use of advanced tech is all they know. They taunt their enemies to demotivate them but when you hold your ground, they are out of ideas. They do not work as a team but try to prove each other who is better. They are always looking for a worthy enemy and that is the reason when both the times they were down and out, the leader of that battalion would challenge a specific person. Major Robert and I were challenged yet they allowed their emotions, their anger to control them. The asura was not using his head and if I had to win this mini boss fight, I had to get under his skin till the time I could get a clear indication that he was finished. “He is going use his dagger all the time. Wait for the moment when he will raise his arm and when he does, shoot the area around his arm pit.” The voice said. I readied myself and the moment the asura raised his arm, I shot multiple rounds at his right armpit. It worked, the bullets penetrated right through the area around his armpit and he was hurt. He switched the dagger to his left hand and raised it, same drill… and now, there was no way he could use his arms. The asura wasn’t going to give up. A puny human like me winning against a powerful foe, nobody else in his place could have accepted that. He still had the dagger in hand and charged forward and as usual I dodged. “Now his knee caps. Same thing as his armpits. Don’t miss… or you are doomed.” Said the voice, “That is comforting. Alright, here goes.” I responded with sarcasm. The asura was preparing to charge again but I stopped him, multiple shots on his left knee and he was down. I did not waste time; I shot his right kneecap and he was down and out. “Finally, aim at his head. Finish him off.” The voice said. “Wait, what! I should have done that the first time when he removed the helmet.” I reacted. “This is no human, Mohit. This is an asura. Besides, I gave these instructions so that you can pass on to the army who are trying their best to fight back. You are the messenger and you need to survive as long as possible to see to it that the army gets this communication.” said the voice. I heeded the voice. One bullet… and the asura was down. “Well done, Mohit but that was just one asura. You are going to fight a horde and for that, you need an armor yourself.” Said the voice. “An armor! And where am I going to get that?” I asked. “I will show you the way. Just follow my voice.” The voice said. As per the voice’s instructions, I walked through a street which was enough to prove the mayhem and chaos the asura army had brought forth. There was not much of patrol there. I walked, sadness gripped my heart as I saw numerous dead bodies…man, woman, and child… the asura did not spare anyone. I have been through these streets before, with my mom, my cousins, friends… been to almost all the stalls and restaurants there but now, there was none. My favorite restaurant… was now in ruins. There were people inside who were enjoying themselves but those poor souls, one of the pods crash-landed right into that shop. No one survived. I started to cry as I stood there looking at the area. “I understand your feelings, Mohit. Sad as you are, you need to be strong. You need to avenge them. The supermarket is close by. That is where you need to go. We have no time to waste.” Said the voice. I wiped my tears and taking a deep breath walked towards the supermarket. It was not so much in ruins but there was a huge hole on top which indicated something big… real big had crashed inside. It was not a pod; it was something else. “What do you know about Lord Krishna’s army?” asked the voice. “The NARAYANI SENA. Not much but yes, I am aware.” I replied. The voice laughed lightly and said, “You are being modest. You do have good knowledge and at this juncture, it is enough. Inside this artifact lies an advanced armor system designed and used by the powerful army of Lord Krishna.” As soon as the voice said this, the artifact opened. As though an invisible hand was raising it, the lid slowly moved upwards and in it, I saw the magnificent armor that I am wearing now. “Go ahead. Just touch it and it will automatically fit on to you. All it needs is proper calculation of your body structure and it will automatically re-size itself to fit the wearer.” The voice said. I did the same. No sooner did I touch it, I found myself going through a wormhole. I cannot explain this feeling, I leave it to you all to decide whether I am lying or telling the truth. Right from the Mahabharat War to all the moments when the previous owner wore this armor and fought battles after battles. All of them victorious in battle but there were a few who perished but in their last moments, saw to it that they achieved what they were destined to do. Soon, I was ‘back’ on earth and found myself wearing this armor. The helmet visor activated. I saw a familiar name on the right-hand side of the visor – GOPAL. “GOPAL?” I inquired. “That’s me. The armor AI. This is the NARAYANI Armor - Nth Series.” Gopal answered. “Nth Series!? Oh, I see… yeah, this is a…million-year-old armor so yeah, justified.” I responded. “We need to move. I will give an update on every feature the armor has which can be utilized whenever the situation occurs.” Said Gopal. I hesitated at first and then asked, “Gopal? I…” “What happened? You are alright? I know you are in doubt… if there is anything, I am always there to help.” Gopal said. “I saw glimpses of people who wore this armor before. Brave warriors who saw to it that they were victorious… even when they died. What am I in front of them? How can I alone fight this horde? What if… what if you are wrong about me?” I asked, I was shivering in fear now and it was natural. Gopal did not answer. I was silent too thinking that maybe, I hurt it…or him, I don’t know. It was sentient, had feelings…. It chose me and here I was trembling in fear. “Mohit, understand one thing about me. I was created by the Gods, given that power of judgement to choose the one worthy of wearing this armor…. and I have never been wrong. Yes, there were those who survived and then there were those, who perished but not before completing their task. You doubt yourself but the truth is… you are among them. You share their destiny and intent. You say you are alone. Maybe right now but not for long. As I said, you are a messenger and in time, you will lead your race to victory. You are human, you fear death… and it is obvious but know this, you are now a warrior and the asuras, more than death, they will fear you. You are the one standing between them and their victory. Be brave, heed my voice… and you will grow stronger.” Said Gopal. I was looking down the whole time but Gopal’s words were motivating. I looked up and the visor pointed to the direction I had to go. “Where are we going? And why?” I asked in a firm voice. Gopal was satisfied and spoke up, “Bunker 38, I am hearing a lot of enemy chatter over there. It is a secret bunker but I have a feeling, it is no more going to be a secret to the asuras. We need to get there fast and warn them about an impending danger.” I acknowledged and moved forward. As I walked, I utilized the time to learn and understand about the ‘magic’ of this armor. It is not bulky, pretty much a light armor but only time would tell how powerful it was. The time… had come. As I was nearing the bunker, Gopal alerted, “We got company. About 15 asuras are walking towards your position. Take cover.” I rushed forward and hid behind an overturned car. “Activating friend and foe scanner. You will know where your friendlies/foes are but only for a short span of time.” Gopal said. Once activated, I clearly saw 15 asuras coming forward. They were a few meters away from the overturned car. “You can fight them but my advice, we need to do this silently. What do you want to do?” Gopal asked. I looked at the incoming asuras, adrenaline burst into my veins. I did have the feeling to attack them and finish them off but that would be foolish. “I can hear your thoughts and you can answer by thinking too. It would be foolish to speak out for they can hear you and your cover will be blown.” Gopal said. I smiled wickedly thinking of this new power and utilized it, “They are not just about brutal force. They have weapons too and they are powerful enough. We need to collect them for future utilization. Besides, didn’t you say that the army needs to know about this? We need to gather weapons and other ordnances for our use… and to pass on the knowledge to the army.” Gopal smirked and said, “Good, you are thinking. Alright, let us do this silently. Wait for my signal… and equip your dagger.” I did the same and waited. Gopal indicated an asura going towards the right, he was alone and away from the squad. I slowly moved forward and lined myself behind him. “Activating invisibility. Again, only for a short time so… you get the chance, finish him.” Said Gopal. The moment I was invisible, I lunged forward and stabbed the neck of the asura. He yelled in pain and fell. I did not waste time but stabbed 3-4 times on his neck and the asura was dead. “Move to cover again.” Gopal said. I did the same. Just in time as 3 asuras had come to the fallen asuras position. They were alarmed and immediately alerted the others. “They have asked each other to spread out and find the killer… you, that is. Perfect! Use your power of invisibility and take them out nice and quiet.” Gopal said. I took a deep breath, heeding the voice of Gopal, I took out most of the asuras. I had to be fast, wreck through the defenses of the asuras… and thanks to the armor, I was able to. I counted 13 asuras down and there were 2 remaining. As I readied myself to take out one, I felt something big catch hold of me. Before I could realize, I found myself flying in the air and crashed hard on top of a car. “That was… the platoon leader. He found you.” Said Gopal in a not-so-innocent tone. “Thanks for the heads up, Gopal. You are a true friend.” I responded sarcastically. As I got up down from the top of the car, I saw the leader and his last surviving soldier walking towards me. “You think you are smart. You wear the armor and think you are strong. Lose that armor and you are back to being a puny human.” The leader said. “His name is Canda. Surprise him!” Gopal said. “Asura’s have all the fun when it comes to ‘terrorizing’ names, isn’t it?” I asked, shaking my head and feeling amused. I, then, called out the asura loudly, “Canda, my boy!! You are a strong foe to tackle with.” Canda stopped in his path. I knew he was shocked. “You ridicule about me wearing an armor yet look at yourself. You are all stronger than us yet you wear an armor. What are you trying to hide? Your cowardice. The Asuras were known for their strength, intellect, and profound knowledge in administration and warfare… yet it goes without saying that your greed and your ego is the reason why even the Gods look down upon you. You do not scare me and in time, these ‘puny’ humans will rise and show you what real power is.” I spoke. It went without saying that Canda and his fellow soldier were taken aback. This is… and has always been the true story of bravery. If there is anything fearsome in this universe, it is our fear itself but when you show your foe that you are not scared and that you have nothing to lose, that is when your enemy starts to quiver in fear. That is when your foe knows… what real fear is. “I have a world to save, My Dear Canda. So, if you want to kill me, you have the opportunity now.” I taunted. Needless to say, Canda and his fellow soldier were enraged. The fellow soldier was the first to draw his sword and charge towards me. I switched to the plasma rifle that was lying down in front of a fallen asura and brought down his shields. When he was vulnerable, I took out my sword, breached through his armor and with a clean stab on his abdomen, killed him. It was now Canda’s turn to fight… and die. “You will not win. I will not allow a puny human to rise over us. I will finish you off.” Saying, Canda charged in. He was a tough customer, just like Shandi and Pubhrangas. He loved toying with his enemy unlike Pubhrangas who was a raging bull. I was growing impatient but Gopal calmed me. “Patience, Mohit. He is toying with you… return the favor. Taunt him, make him weak mentally.” Said Gopal. “Is taunting good? Isn’t that a sign of weakness?” I asked trying to use my knowledge of warfare. “Everything is fair in love and war. Battles are not always won by strength. Sometimes, you need to get into the skin of your enemy to know their strengths and weakness. You are dealing with the asuras. Taunting is what you will be doing from here on. Who knows, your world will be saved just by a single taunt.” Said Gopal. The fact that I got ‘permitted’ to taunt my enemy made this interesting. “What happened, Human? Afraid to die? I will give you the opportunity to strike at me. Swing your sword. It will be fun to watch.” Canda taunted. I must agree that it almost worked for I was angered. I took a deep breath and looked at Canda again. I nodded my head in disagreement and sheathed my sword. Much to the surprise of Canda, I started to walk away. “Hey!? Where do you think you are going!?” He roared while asking this question. I smirked and answered, “I am bored. You have no interest in fighting. You are nothing but talks. I have a world to save, you coward. I don’t have time for your taunts and words.” Asura’s don’t like being insulted and to be insulted by a human, that is a strict no-no. He roared in anger and charged towards me. I was ready. I wanted this to happen. As he raised his sword to finish me off in one blow, I ducked and swinged my sword on his legs. The sword I have is built of a strong material, a few of which is not available on earth but strong enough to not just withstand a blow but also, smash through any barrier. However, the effectiveness of a weapon depends upon the effectiveness of the person wielding it. Oh man! I knew I was effective but never knew I was this effective. One swing of the sword and I cut off the left leg of the asura. He yelled in excruciating pain and fell on the ground with a thud. I watched as the asura was writhing in pain, he was helpless… part of me felt sorry for him but he brought this upon himself. So did every other asura out there. He deserved it. “Finish him. End his torment.” Said Gopal. The asura was not giving up. As I came closer, he started swinging his sword in desperation. Part of me wanted to forgive him but there was always the other side. So much death, so much destruction… and all for the sake of domination. I closed my eyes wondering what to do… if I could do this, become a monster, bring the same mindset like the asuras “To defeat the monster, you have to become the monster. However, there are people who allowed that monster to take full control of their mind and body. My only advise to you… don’t be like them. Have the mind of a pure soul but when it comes to punishment, be the monster that the world fears. Finish him. He is not the only leader you will come across. There are more like him… more powerful than him. Be prepared to face them.” Said Gopal. I opened my eyes and watched as the asura was continuously swinging his sword. Without remorse, I swinged mine. The asura let out another cry of agony as his right hand fell on the ground still clutching the sword. I moved forward and without a second thought, stabbed the sword right through the asura’s neck ending his torment. Most of the asuras I killed were clean deaths but Canda’s death was horrifying to say the least. I dropped my sword, removed my helmet and vomited over there. No one deserves to die like that but no one has the right to be a bully. “I understand your plight, Mohit but hard as it may be, this is just the beginning. We have to move. I hearing enemy chatter coming close by.” Said Gopal. Indeed, I could hear a group or squad discussing something about infiltrating a human bunker. A human bunker? In plain sight? We live in times where war is constantly happening but not to the extent that humanity has to resort to living in bunkers to survive. However, no one told us about an alien invasion. Whether we were prepared for visitors from outer space or not is still a subject of debate but we are at war now. If a debate was to be held, pretty sure it will be with guns… and swords. Gopal marked the location of the chatter and I sprinted to it till Gopal told me stop. “Look ahead.” Said Gopal, and I saw 2 squads readying 2 machines which looked like drillers. “Driller pods. Different from the pods that the asuras landed on. These pods are designed to find the safest and closest path to a target. It is without a doubt that the asuras have found out a bunker beneath this surface. We need to stop them.” Said Gopal. In that exact moment, a squad got onto a pod and started the engines. The pod drilled through the surface and was on its way. I had to follow it, reach before they lay waste to the bunker. I got out from my hiding and fired at the squad readying the 2nd machine. I killed them all and then got inside the pod. “I have located the base. I will program the pod. Fasten your seatbelts for this is going to rough.” Gopal said and I did the same. Within seconds, the pod closed and rumbled. I could feel the pod drilling downwards and it shook heavily. After about 5 minutes (the drillers were indeed fast movers), I reached the destination and the pod landed on the ground with a huge and loud thud. “The attack has begun but you can stop it. The army is here. Show them what you have learnt.” Gopal said. The rest of the story… you all know what happened.