Chapter 9 : Trial By Thunder

[22 Augest 2115 (morning)]

BhattTech Dormitory

The heroes stood near their car, waiting for Sana. They were ready for their raid in Chennai, buzzing with excitement—except for one problem. Sana was nowhere to be seen.

Zeel : Guys, what do you think? Will Sana actually show up?

Jay : Obviously! Who in their right mind would dare reject an invitation from us?

Maharshi: Jay is right. She'll come. But she's taking too long. At this rate, we should already be in Chennai.

Zeel : Should I call her?

Hirak : No need—look, there she is.

Sana appeared in the distance, dragging her bag. But something was… off. Her hair was a tangled mess, dark circles loomed under her eyes, and she was walking like a half-conscious zombie.

Maharshi : Sana… are you okay?

Sana : Y-Yeah… I'm completely… alright…

Maharshi : Then why do you look like you just fought a demon in your dreams?

Sana (blinking slowly) : Huh?

Maharshi : …Never mind. Let's just go. We're already late. Get in the car.

[BhattTech Airship – En Route to Chennai]

The heroes entered their airship and settled in. Sana, meanwhile, stood frozen at the entrance, her mouth slightly open. Her eyes darted around, struggling to process the sheer luxury in front of her—sleek interiors, plush seats, glowing control panels… This wasn't just a transport; it was a flying mansion.

Maharshi: Sana, welcome aboard.

Hirak : How's the ship? Any compliments?

Zeel : Hirak, when will we reach Chennai?

Hirak : Mostly in four hours.

Jay : Try to speed up.

Hirak : It's an airship ! not a rickshaw where I can tell the driver to go faster.

Sana (muttering, still in shock) : I… I thought we were taking a normal flight…

Zeel (grinning) : Normal is boring. Welcome to the big leagues.

Sana flopped into a seat, staring blankly ahead. She still had no idea what was happening to her life.

[(Flashback) 21 Augest 2115 (night)]

The room was dimly lit. Sana sat cross-legged on her bed, Watching viral videos of Arya's grand entry in Kashi in her phone. The realization had sunk in—she was really going on a raid with the top-ranked warriors of BhattTech. And she hadn't even been asked. She had been drafted.

Then, her phone buzzed. A call from home.

Sana's Mom : Beta! How are you?

Sana hesitated for a second before forcing some cheerfulness into her voice.

Sana : I'm good, Mom! Just… a little busy.

Sana's Mom: Busy? You sound exhausted. Are you sleeping enough? Eating properly?

Sana sighed, rubbing her temples.

Sana: Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, really. Just… you know, training, studies, missions… normal academy life.

Sana's Mom: Missions? Sana, you don't sound fine. You're not pushing yourself too hard, are you? You know, you don't have to compete with anyone. Just do your best.

Sana's grip on the phone tightened.

Sana: But my best isn't enough, Mom. Everyone here is stronger, faster, smarter… I have to push myself.

Her mother was silent for a moment.

Sana's Mom : Beta… we are already so proud of you. You worked so hard to get here. You don't have to prove anything to anyone. Just promise me one thing.

Sana closed her eyes, her voice softer now.

Sana : What?

Sana's Mom :Take care of yourself first. Okay?

Sana swallowed, forcing a smile.

Sana : …Okay, Mom. I promise.

After a few more minutes of conversation, the call ended. But Sana didn't sleep that night. She open her phone still Arya's viral video is playing. Close and tighten the phone.

Sana(with tear in eyes) : I have to do this..!

[BACK TO PRESENT – BhattTech Airship]

Zeel : Hello? Earth to Sana?

Sana snapped out of her thoughts.

Sana : Huh?

Maharshi : You zoned out. What were you thinking about?

Sana glanced at them. They were all so confident, so at ease. She sighed.

Sana : Nothing. Just… preparing myself for the worst.

Zeel : That's the spirit! Expect the worst, and you'll only be mildly traumatized.

Sana groaned, slumping back in her seat as the airship sped towards Chennai.

[22 Augest 2115]

Nanmangalam Reserve Forest, Chennai

heros coming out from the ship. with their bags and Sana is still observing all the things.

Jay(streching) : finally, Reached at time.

Maharshi : Hirak, You literally fly ship like rickshaw.

Hirak : oh just shut up.

Maharshi : Ok, so we will go for Nanmangalam Reserve Forest, People during these days start getting corrupted by srapit aatmas, so we found reading of srapit shakti which make this mission Khatarnak shreni's mission.

Zeel : Compared to the thing we faced recently it's nothing.

Maharshi : This time Arya is not with us. And our strike team's overall ranks is also low tier maha-khatarnak shreni. So be carefull.

Team slowly going in deep forest, atmosphere slowly started cooling down.

Sana( swatting a mosquito) : why are there so many insects here?!

Zeel : Welcome to the nature. Hope you are not scared of snacks.

Sana : There are snakes !?

Hirak(through comunicator) : Only poisonous ones.

Sana : WHAT !?

Maharshi : Guys, Stay focused, Did you feel the presence?

Jay(closed eyes) : It's still weak. But coming towards us.

Team get in the formation of strike. Sana also follow the formation in sudden. Just following what they do.

Maharshi : It's here.

Heroes encountered with wolf type srapit aatma. It's claws are sharp and eyes are dark.

Maharshi : Hirak?

Hirak(through comunicator) : An intermediate-tier Khatarnak srapit aatma. No need to worry about.

Maharshi : Ok then, Sana it's your time, show your skills to us.

Sana : What ? Me ?

Zeel : Don't worry i'm behind you. Just believe on me. Go ahead and know those wolfs.

Sana : O..okey..

Sana take a step forward and sprinted towards that wolf, wolf suddenly lunged on her, As Sana quickly step back and dodge that wolf's claws.

Sana : i can't do this, what if i mess up ?

That wolf again charged on Sana to bit her with is sharp fangs. Sana closed her eyes. Zeel quickly reacted to defend Sana but Maharshi hold her hands stop her.

Non vocally saying that keep trust on her. Sana remember her mom's promise "always take care of yourself,beta". She opened her eyes.

Sana : I have to do this.

Sana started forming her Vajra Yantra on her anklet. Her eyes filled with thunder lightning. She instantly speed up and give a brutal punch to that wolf and clear the way. Heroes are so shocked that Sana also know to form vaja yantra.

Zeel : Sana you know the art of Yantra too?

Maharshi(impressed) : That's amazing !

Jay(impressed) : That was unexpected for a newbie.

Sana : I....I actually did it !

Heroes are about to relax but a growl echoes through the forest.

Hirak : Guys, i think have company.

Maharshi : Get in the formation.

Sana : Now what !?

Jay : I can feel it they so many.

Lot of wolf type srapit aatma's coming out. Heroes got the gravity of tension.

Maharshi : Let's finish this guys-

Sana : "ओम् वज्राय विध्यमानं, विद्युत् शक्ति संचारय, यंत्रं प्रवर्तय!".

Before Maharshi even give a order Sana marched on the wolfs. Her anklets glowed with Vajra Yantra. She took down the wolves one by one, her speed and power nearly inhuman. But couple of wolfs attack from her back.

BANG, BANG, BANG

Zeel gave a headshot to those wolfs with her pistols. And save Sana. Jay raise his sraff and create a Vayu Yantra.

Jay : "ओम् वायवे गतिसंहारक, अनिलशक्ति संचारय, यंत्रं प्रवर्तय!".

Jay spun his staff, the air around him twisting into a raging cyclone. With a powerful swing, the storm exploded outward, hurling the wolves through the air like ragdolls, Maharshi moved with deadly precision, his sword slicing through each airborne wolf in swift, calculated strikes. As their lifeless bodies began to fall, Jay raised his staff once more, summoning a powerful gust that hurled the remaining wolves away in a single, sweeping motion.

Maharshi : Thanks, Jay.

Jay(wicked) : Mention not.

Zeel : Guys, on your right !

Wolves are coming from the right Maharshi and Jay easily dodged them and taking each of them down. Zeel firing up with her pistols giving mid range attacks. Meanwhile Sana giving close range attacks on wolves.

Finally with one last headshot by Zeel this attack wave is closed.

Maharshi : Finally it's finished.

Zeel : You did great Sana. I hope now you are not under family pressure.

Sana : Thanks- what ? Family pressure?

Jay : Hope you're not filling nervous anymore.

Sana trying to be unknown of the situation.

Sana : Nervous? what you guys are talking about ?

Maharshi : Just cut it off, We already know, That what's going wrong with you.

The team exchanged knowing smiles, their silent support louder than words.

Sana(in shy) : from when ?

Jay : From the starting of the day.

Sana chuckled, still overwhelmed. But before she could say anything else—

Maharshi: Alright, enough chit-chat. Let's move.

The team started walking again, pushing deeper into the forest. As they did, Maharshi slowed his pace until he was walking beside Sana.

Maharshi: You know… I get it.

Sana (blinking): Huh?

Maharshi: The pressure. The feeling that you have to prove yourself. That if you don't give your best every second, you'll fall behind.

Sana glanced at him, a little surprised. Maharshi was always so composed, so confident. It was hard to imagine him struggling with anything.

Maharshi (smirking): My mom—she's the sweetest woman alive. But sometimes, she can drive me insane.

Zeel (from the front, laughing): That's an understatement.

Maharshi (ignoring her): She calls me every single day. Every. Single. Day. If I don't pick up? Ten missed calls. And you know what she says when I finally answer?

Maharshi suddenly changed his voice to a dramatic, high-pitched tone.

Maharshi (imitating his mom): "Beta! Did you eat? Did you sleep? Are you wearing warm clothes? Also, why didn't you call me first? Do you even love me anymore?"

The entire team burst out laughing.

Sana (laughing): That sounds… painfully familiar.

Maharshi (grinning): Right? It's like they think we'll collapse if they're not there to remind us to breathe. But the truth is… they mean well. My mom might be overbearing, but I know she's proud of me. Just like your mom is proud of you.

Sana's smile softened.

Sana (quietly): Yeah… she is.

Maharshi: You don't have to prove anything, Sana. You made it here because you deserve to be here. We all see it—even if you don't yet.

Sana exhaled, the weight on her shoulders feeling a little lighter.

Sana (smiling): Thanks, Maharshi.

Jay: Wait, wait, wait—does this mean Maharshi actually has a heart?!

Maharshi (deadpan): I'm revoking your right to speak.

Zeel (laughing): Too late, he's already spoken!

The team continued deeper into the forest, the tension from earlier replaced with laughter and light-hearted teasing.

But in the back of her mind, Sana held onto Maharshi's words. Maybe… just maybe, she didn't have to carry the weight alone.

Hirak(through comunicator) : Guys, Stay alert something is wrong. Reading of strapit shakti is getting higher.

On screen hirak show a huge monstrous entity reaching heroes.

Hirak : It's top tier Khatarnak shreni's srapit aatma be carefull.

Sana (determined): No worries, I'm gonna—

Her vision swam. A sharp pain shot through her skull. The world spun.

Zeel: Sana?!

Her Vajra Yantra flickered—then vanished.

Before she could process it, her body gave in.

THUD.

Maharshi (panicked) : Sana!?

to be continue