CHAPTER 17 (GARUDA) First Story

The mysterious voice came from a maiden with milky-white skin. She seemed to emit a transparent glow.

Everyone was completely in awe as she descended from the cloudy air. By her side was a colossal man who was the largest anyone has ever seen.

The unexpected appearance of the maiden put a halt to the war. Like a dry leaf, she landed softly in the middle of the battlefield with the giant following her. Gandharva was the first one to utter a word:

“Who are you?”

To which the maiden replied:

“ I’m Garuda”

Her words took everyone by surprise.

She was a saint of the Vishnu temple. Within their tribe, a special Mantra power was passed on through generations. The tribe chooses the one with the most powerful Mantra to serve as the saint of Vishnu.

To be a saint of Vishnu, one must hurdle a series of difficult tests. At age 15, candidates must prove their Mantra powers. Those who pass this obstacle are transported to the temple of Vishnu for the last test. Girls who pass this final test can distinctly recall their experiences while those who failed are bound to forget their ordeal.

Rumor has it that the last test was conducted in the secret room in the temple of Vishnu. Only the chosen one can be elevated to the sacred rank of saint of Vishnu.

Garauda was later anointed as the chosen saint. She went on to serve Vishnu for three years until she turned 18. During that span, Garuda was one with Vishnu. Some even thought that she was the incarnation of Vishnu because she had uncanny Mantra powers.

CHAPTER 18 (GARUDA) Second Story

“Saint of Vishnu, tell us why are you trying to stop this holy war?’ Asura asked.

“This is not the holy war. You’re all terribly mistaken”

Rakshasha, the queen of Nachal then yelled out:

“What do you mean by your words Saint of Vishnu?”

“You mean to say that this war is an abomination, a huge mistake?”

All of a sudden, the battlefield atmosphere got tense. The giant was slowly reaching out to his sword but Garuda was quick to restrain him. Then she turned to Deva and pointed at him.

“Prince Deva will help me enlighten all of you.”

Deva was immediately struck with a feeling of disbelief. Garuda began chanting Mantra to Deva. He was strongly resisting the dark forces.

As the two powers clashed, the battlefield was awash with blinding flashes of light and occasional darkness.

Garuda was being overwhelmed by the dark forces of Deva. It was so strong that her face suddenly turned pale and blood was gushing out from her mouth. A devilish smile formed on his face.

That same instance Rakshasha shouted out: “Deva!”

The giant by Garuda’s side suddenly move to strike Deva.

“No! Spare him!”

Garuda prevented the giant from doing any harm. He fell down like a sack of potato.

The evil powers were now leaving his body. Seizing the opportunity, Garuda summoned her remaining powers and extricated the dark spirits from Deva.

Garuda then lapsed into unconsciousness.

This sudden development forced a halt to the war. All the leaders were at a loss on what to do next. They were waiting for Deva and Garuda to regain consciousness.

Garuda’s strength was sapped by the dark forces she vanquished; remaining unconscious for the whole day.

CHAPTER 19 (GARUDA) Third Story

When she opened her eyes, everyone was busy demanding for answers. The rest – Rakshasha, Kimnara, Yaksa and Gandharva held their peace. They waited for her to speak up. Garuda then began to speak slowly:

“I experienced an Epiphany of Vishnu. We should stop this war within our midst. All of us are the life force of Tantra. No matter which god we serve.”

A lone voice made a dissenting opinion.

“But all of this disorder and chaos was brought upon by one of the three gods who betrayed the other!”

Garuda just shook her head.

“You don’t know what you speak of.” Garuda answered.

“So enlighten us then.”

Garuda surveyed the vast throng around her. The epiphany made her privy to the truth. The past and the future could be averted. Yet, she can’t divulge everything she knew.

Such was the dilemma of a prophet. They have visions of the future but are sometimes powerless to overturn the course of history.

“What I have are scarce details. There seems to be a sinister and dark force orchestrating these events – like the evil forces that controlled the will of Deva. And…”

“The eight chosen ones should put up a united front in order to defeat the great evil”.

“And who are these eight chosen ones? One of them asked.

She pointed towards DEVA, ASURA, RAKSASHA, KIMNARA, YAKSA, GANDHARVA and the giant protecting her.

“If you truly want to save Tantra and vanquish the Maras….”

She was gazing at the stars as she spoke.

“I’ll wait for all you in the old temple in the Mandara highlands by tomorrow noon.”

Again, she fell into unconsciousness.

The giant lifted her up and carried her to bed.

In her unconscious state, she was dreaming of the past and the future - the tragic destiny of mankind, the bloody wars, noble sacrifices and widespread death and destruction. She was seeing the future but was cursed to keep it to herself. She desperately wanted to tell everyone.

A rushing surge of grief and guilt consumed her. Such a terrible fate to know the future and the scourge it brings. The road to be trudged leads to misery and suffering but she was powerless to alter the course.

Most especially, she wanted to tell the quiet and gentle giant Naga how sorry she was for him.