Chapter 3

Panel 1:A villager with weathered features stands in the morning light of the alien village, looking directly at Saurabh with genuine curiosity. The sun illuminates the peculiar architecture and vegetation behind him. His posture is open and friendly.

“Villager: What's your name?”

Panel 2:Saurabh stands facing the villager, his clothes still dusty from his arrival. He takes a breath and answers, his expression cautious but willing to engage.

“Saurabh: Saurabh.”

Panel 3:The villager tilts his head slightly, his eyes narrowing with continued interest. He leans forward a bit, asking the next question with natural curiosity.

“Villager: And where are you from?”

Panel 4:Saurabh's jaw tightens slightly. He hesitates, then speaks the words that feel impossible to explain in this context. His gaze drifts slightly as if the words taste foreign.

“Saurabh: Arlington… Virginia.”

Panel 5:The villager's expression shifts to genuine confusion. His brow furrows, and he exchanges a glance with Saurabh as if searching for clarification. His mouth opens slightly in puzzlement.

“Villager: Arlington?”

Panel 6:Saurabh nods firmly, his shoulders squared, trying to project certainty even as the weight of the situation presses on him. The village background shows peacocks moving freely in the distance.

“Saurabh: Virginia.”

Panel 7:The villager shakes his head slowly from side to side, his expression genuinely perplexed. His hands open slightly in a gesture of honest bewilderment.

“Villager: I've never heard of that place.”

Panel 8:Saurabh's eyes widen in shock. His mouth opens slightly as the full weight of the villager's answer hits him. His hands clench at his sides.

“Saurabh: You've never heard of Virginia?”

Panel 1:Saurabh turns the conversation around, his voice gaining determination despite his confusion. He gestures outward, asking the villager to explain the world around them.

“Saurabh: Where are you from? What is this place?”

Panel 2:The villager gestures casually around the village with an open palm, as if the answer is obvious and self-evident. Strange flowering plants and village structures are visible behind him.

“Villager: This place? This is Udbhava.”

Panel 3:Saurabh repeats the word, his tone questioning and uncertain. His brow knits as he tries to process the information.

“Saurabh: Udbhava?”

Panel 4:Saurabh leans forward slightly, his hands open in a gesture of genuine need for information. The morning sun casts his shadow long across the ground.

“Saurabh: Where is that?”

Panel 5:The villager answers matter-of-factly, his expression suggesting Saurabh should already know this. He points vaguely upward and around, encompassing the entire landscape.

“Villager: Vishvakrit.”

Panel 6:Saurabh's confusion deepens. He repeats the name with growing desperation, his posture becoming more rigid.

“Saurabh: Where is Vishvakrit?”

Panel 7:The villager gives Saurabh a playful, almost amused look—as if the answer is so obvious it borders on funny. His lips curve into a knowing smile.

“Villager: You silly… It's in Medini.”

Panel 8:Saurabh repeats the name, his voice hollow. He stares at the villager with desperate intensity.

“Saurabh: Medini?”

Panel 9:The villager's smile widens. He gestures upward, his arm extended toward the alien sky above them.

“Villager: The planet.”

Panel 10:Saurabh's face fills the frame, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief. His mouth opens but no sound emerges. His skin has gone pale.

“Saurabh: What?”

Panel 11:Saurabh stands alone, looking around at the impossible landscape—strange flora, unfamiliar architecture, an alien sky. His words are barely audible, spoken under his breath as he processes the truth.

Narrator:“That doesn't even exist in our solar system…”

Panel 12:The villager's attention shifts. He turns toward the sandy-fawn dog with the white chest patch, who has been observing the conversation from nearby. His expression brightens with recognition.

“Villager: Setu!”

Panel 1:The villager addresses the dog with familiarity and casual warmth, his body language open and friendly.

“Villager: How do you know this man?”

Panel 2:Saurabh looks directly at the dog, his expression shifting as he processes what he's hearing. The dog stands calmly beside him, its intelligent amber eyes focused and aware.

Narrator:“Setu…”

Panel 3:The dog steps forward with deliberate movement, positioning itself between Saurabh and the villager. Its posture is protective yet measured.

“Saurabh's dog: He's our guest.”

Panel 4:The dog's expression becomes more serious. It looks at the villager with quiet authority, its ears perked forward.

“Saurabh's dog: We shouldn't keep questioning him like this.”

Panel 5:The dog turns and observes Saurabh carefully. Saurabh stands exhausted, his clothes dusty and torn from his arrival, his body language defeated. He has no bags, no possessions, nothing but the clothes on his back.

Panel 6:The dog addresses the villager with calm authority, its posture upright and its tone decisive.

“Saurabh's dog: Why don't you get something for him to eat?”

Panel 7:The dog continues, its eyes moving toward Saurabh's disheveled state.

“Saurabh's dog: And some proper clothes.”

Panel 8:The dog gestures subtly with its head toward Saurabh, noting his exhaustion and lack of belongings.

“Saurabh's dog: He looks exhausted… and he doesn't even have any baggage.”

Panel 9:The villager nods in agreement, his expression shifting to understanding and compassion. He turns away from Saurabh and the dog, moving toward a nearby house.

“Villager: You're right, Setu. I'll get it.”

Panel 10:Saurabh watches the villager depart. Then he turns to look at the dog, his expression a mixture of gratitude and continued confusion. The dog meets his gaze calmly.

“Saurabh: Setu…”

Panel 1:A wide establishing shot shows the villager has left. Saurabh sits beneath a large, ancient tree with unusual bark and foliage. Setu sits nearby, alert and watchful. In the background, the village continues its peaceful daily life—peacocks wander, villagers move about their tasks.

Panel 2:Saurabh leans against the tree trunk, his body slumped with exhaustion and despair. His gaze is fixed on the middle distance, unfocused and hollow.

Narrator:“Haritha…”

Panel 3:A brief visual memory—a flash of Haritha's face, her curly shoulder-length hair, her glasses catching the light. She appears in Saurabh's apartment, smiling.

Narrator:“Is she okay?”

Panel 4:Saurabh's hand clenches against the tree bark. His face is twisted in anguish as he asks himself the impossible question.

Narrator:“How did I even get here?”

Panel 5:Saurabh's eyes close briefly, his brow furrowed deeply. His lips move silently as desperation grips him.

Narrator:“Who can I ask?”

Panel 6:Saurabh's face shows complete helplessness. His eyes are open but vacant, staring at nothing.

Narrator:“How am I supposed to get home?”

Panel 7:Setu watches Saurabh from a few feet away. The dog's intelligent amber eyes track every movement and expression. Its posture is still, observant.

Panel 8:Saurabh sits motionless, completely absorbed in his despair. He says nothing, his mind churning through impossible scenarios. The village continues peacefully around him, oblivious to his internal crisis.

Panel 1:Setu slowly walks toward Saurabh with deliberate, measured steps. The dog's expression is serious and focused. Saurabh remains unaware of the approach.

Panel 2:Saurabh notices the dog approaching. He looks up, his expression shifting from despair to confusion.

“Saurabh: What?”

Panel 3:Setu gently places one paw against Saurabh's bare arm. The touch is soft but deliberate. Saurabh's eyes widen in surprise at the contact.

Panel 4:A supernatural visual effect blooms around the point of contact—subtle wisps of light or energy connecting dog to man. Setu's eyes glow faintly with focus and intensity.

Panel 5:A fragmented memory montage flashes across the panel: Saurabh and Haritha together at home, Saurabh working at a desk, moments of domestic warmth and connection.

Panel 6:More memories cascade: Saurabh's loyalty to Haritha, his kindness, his trustworthy nature evident in his actions and expressions.

Panel 7:The memories fade. Setu's eyes close as understanding settles into the dog's consciousness. The light fades.

Narrator:“He wasn't a threat.”

Panel 8:Setu's eyes open. He looks at Saurabh with profound understanding and compassion. His expression has softened completely.

Panel 9:Setu makes an internal decision. His jaw sets with resolve. Behind him, the alien sky stretches endlessly.

Narrator:“He could trust him.”

Panel 1:Setu sits beside Saurabh, close enough that their bodies nearly touch. The dog's posture is calm and present.

“Saurabh's dog: I'm sorry.”

Panel 2:Saurabh turns to look at the dog, his confusion evident but his despair momentarily lifted by the unexpected companionship.

“Saurabh: For what?”

Panel 3:Setu's expression becomes deeply empathetic. His amber eyes are fixed on Saurabh with profound understanding.

“Saurabh's dog: For everything that's happening to you.”

Panel 4:Saurabh freezes mid-breath. His entire body goes rigid. His eyes widen as the implication hits him.

“Saurabh: How did you know that?”

Panel 5:Setu remains calm, his voice steady and knowing.

“Saurabh's dog: I know what you're going through.”

Panel 6:Saurabh's voice breaks with desperation as he finally admits the full weight of his predicament.

“Saurabh: You… read my mind?”

Panel 7:Setu's expression becomes subtly knowing, neither confirming nor denying, but clearly understanding more than a normal dog should.

“Saurabh's dog: Something like that.”

Panel 8:Saurabh's shoulders slump. His voice drops to barely above a whisper, the full weight of his helplessness breaking through his defenses.

“Saurabh: I don't know how to get home, Setu.”

Panel 9:Saurabh's voice cracks further as he admits the second part of his nightmare.

“Saurabh: I don't even know where I am.”

Panel 1:Setu sits upright, his voice becoming more authoritative and informative. Behind him, the village is visible in the distance.

“Saurabh's dog: There are many things out there which we are unaware of.”

Panel 2:Saurabh leans forward, his desperation transforming into determination. His eyes focus on Setu with intense need.

“Saurabh: Then tell me.”

Panel 3:Saurabh's voice becomes more urgent. He gestures outward at the impossible landscape around them.

“Saurabh: Where are we?”

Panel 4:Setu's voice is clear and definitive, as if speaking a fundamental truth.

“Saurabh's dog: Medini.”

Panel 5:Saurabh repeats the word, but this time with dawning realization rather than confusion.

“Saurabh: Medini?”

Panel 6:Setu nods with quiet certainty.

“Saurabh's dog: Yes. It's the planet you're standing on.”

Panel 7:A wide, awe-struck establishing shot reveals the vast alien landscape in full: towering crystalline structures, impossible flora in vibrant colors, an alien sky with unfamiliar cloud formations, distant mountains with strange geological formations. Saurabh stands small in the foreground, looking out at the immensity.

“Saurabh: A planet?”

Panel 8:Setu continues his explanation with calm authority.

“Saurabh's dog: We're in a village called Udbhava.”

Panel 9:Setu's voice takes on the tone of someone explaining their homeland.

“Saurabh's dog: Udbhava comes under Vishvakrit.”

Panel 10:Setu speaks with reverence about the kingdom.

“Saurabh's dog: Vishvakrit is the Kingdom of Creation.”

Panel 11:Setu gestures subtly toward the village with his head, indicating the community and all it represents.

“Saurabh's dog: In our kingdom, we are known for creating things.”

Panel 12:A montage showing the wonders of Vishvakrit: unusual hybrid fruits hanging from trees, peacocks and eagles moving freely among villagers, humans and animals working together, strange cross-pollinated plants with bioluminescent properties.

“Saurabh's dog: New fruits. New plants. New ways of living.”

Panel 13:Saurabh's voice is filled with wonder and growing understanding.

“Saurabh: And who is responsible for all this?”

Panel 14:Setu's voice carries respect and reverence.

“Saurabh's dog: Our lord, Shrashta.”

Panel 15:Setu's expression shifts subtly. His voice takes on a different tone—more cautious, more complex.

“Saurabh's dog: But there are always people who want to know more.”

Panel 16:Saurabh leans forward with keen interest, sensing a shift in Setu's tone.

“Saurabh: More?”

Panel 17:Setu's voice becomes personal and tinged with emotion.

“Saurabh's dog: My guardian is one of those….”

Panel 18:Setu speaks the name with significance.

“Saurabh's dog: His name is Jigyasu.”

Panel 1:Saurabh repeats the name, processing its significance.

“Saurabh: Jigyasu?”

Panel 2:Setu's voice becomes warm with memory.

“Saurabh's dog: He found me when I was a puppy.”

Panel 3:A flashback scene: A young scientist named Jigyasu, with keen intelligent eyes, gently cradles a small puppy (young Setu) in his hands. His expression is tender and protective. A laboratory setting is visible in soft focus behind them.

Panel 4:Setu's voice carries deep affection.

“Saurabh's dog: He raised me.”

Panel 5:A flashback: Adult Setu sits faithfully beside Jigyasu in his laboratory. Jigyasu works at strange instruments and apparatus, studying celestial charts and maps. Setu's eyes are fixed on his companion with unwavering loyalty.

Panel 6:Setu's voice becomes reflective.

“Saurabh's dog: He was my companion… and I was his.”

Panel 7:A flashback: Jigyasu stands before strange instruments and celestial maps, studying drawings of distant worlds and impossible geometries. His expression shows obsession and wonder. Setu sits beside him, watching.

Panel 8:Setu's voice becomes more serious.

“Saurabh's dog: But Jigyasu always wondered what existed beyond Medini.”

Panel 9:Saurabh's eyes widen with understanding.

“Saurabh: So he tried to find out?”

Panel 10:Setu nods slowly, his voice becoming heavy with the weight of what comes next.

“Saurabh's dog: He created a portal.”

Panel 11:A flashback: Inside Jigyasu's laboratory, a massive circular portal tears open in reality itself—a swirling vortex of energy and light, crackling with impossible power. The portal is beautiful and terrifying.

Panel 12:A flashback: Jigyasu carefully fits a special dark nylon belt around young Setu's neck. The belt has a small circular button visible on its surface. Jigyasu's hands are steady but his expression shows concern and determination.

Panel 13:Setu speaks with the weight of memory.

“Saurabh's dog: He sent me first.”

Panel 14:A flashback: Jigyasu points to the small button on Setu's belt. His voice is urgent and careful. Setu watches his face intently.

“Saurabh's dog: He told me that if anything went wrong… or if I couldn't survive…”

Panel 15:A flashback: Jigyasu's finger hovers over the button on Setu's belt. His expression is grave.

“Saurabh's dog: I only had to press this.”

Panel 16:A flashback: Setu stands at the edge of the portal, the button on his belt glowing faintly. Behind him, Jigyasu watches from a safe distance, his hand raised in farewell.

“Saurabh's dog: It would bring me back to Medini.”

Panel 1:Saurabh sits upright, his mind racing with the implications of what he's learned. His expression shows intense concentration.

“Saurabh: So… Jigyasu created a portal.”

Panel 2:Setu nods with quiet confirmation.

“Saurabh's dog: Yes.”

Panel 3:Saurabh's eyes move toward Setu's neck, where the dark nylon belt with its small circular button is clearly visible.

“Saurabh: And that belt brought you back?”

Panel 4:Setu nods affirmatively.

“Saurabh's dog: In an emergency, yes.”

Panel 5:Saurabh's hand reaches out toward the belt. His expression shows desperate hope—the first glimmer of a possible solution.

“Saurabh: What if…?”

Panel 6:Saurabh's finger presses the button on the belt. The button depresses with a soft click.

Narrator:“CLICK.”

Panel 7:Saurabh waits. Seconds pass. Nothing happens. The world remains unchanged. No portal opens. Hope dies in his eyes.

Panel 8:Saurabh tries again, pressing the button with more desperation.

Narrator:“CLICK.”

Panel 9:Still nothing. The button works mechanically, but no portal appears. Saurabh's hand drops. His expression crumbles from hope to devastation.

“Saurabh: So it doesn't work for me.”

Panel 10:Setu looks at Saurabh. His expression is compassionate but silent. The dog offers no false comfort, only understanding.

Panel 11:Saurabh's expression suddenly shifts. The despair hardens into determination. His jaw sets. His eyes focus with new resolve.

“Saurabh: Then there's only one thing left to do.”

Panel 12:A large final panel: Saurabh stands upright, looking toward the road leading deeper into Medini and toward the horizon. Setu stands beside him, ready. The alien landscape stretches before them—mountains, strange flora, impossible architecture in the distance. The sky is vast and alien. Together, they face forward with purpose.

“Saurabh: Let's find Jigyasu.”

Narrator:“If anyone can get me home… it's the man who created the way out.”