The Protector and the Annihilation ALL 29 Kickstarter Short Stories' Preview. (Upcoming, not yet launched as of 01/18/25.)
1. The Day was Bright and Blue. A Little Close to Sunset, I Sensed Something Eternal. (Antonio Chandrani-Rivera and Alejandro Caldera-Altaha.) Word count: 3674.
“I’ll do it easily,” Alejandro told him, lips grazing the edge of Antonio’s, “But I wonder if you’ll keep jarring me if we stay here. I always expect your skin to taste saltier.”
“You really should kiss me already,” said Antonio.
Summary: Alejandro and Antonio try to ignore their rivalry and the upcoming choice for the role of Planetary Protector. [Sultry but does not contain depictions of sex.]
2. the most comfortable of psyche. (Layla Chandrani and Alia Atif-Akinyemi.) Word count: 1134.
“You are back with us again, for however long,” said Alia. “I promised you I’d be there.”
“You really threatened me with a promise,” Layla agreed.
Summary: For some reason, Alia's there when Layla gets caught up with a towering Psyche out at sea that's mostly made of teeth. It's terrible when Alia gets caught up with Layla's plans, since Layla's plans always involve some sort of danger, especially when it comes to fighting the Psyche.
3. Such Classical Men. (Raj Chandrani-Rivera, William Evans, Leo Abara, Tomás Estrada). Word count: 6892.
“What?” Raj asked, voice small. “Do you really have a crush on Antonio? Is that it?”
Summary: Leo and William guess at who Raj Rivera might be in love with. Raj fears falling in love and fears the ghosts Tomás sees with him, but is determined to keep someone precious around in his life for a long time.
4. Proprieties, Gods and anti-Gods. (Keya Chandrani and Posh Hat.) Word count: 900.
“Those women don’t know you,” Keya groused. “Your allure is deader than dead to me. I’ve seen you panic over someone noticing you transform. You’re just a squeaking squirrel in human form.”
Summary: Keya Chandrani hangs out with an infamous individual people treat as a God-like rogue across the planet Imion, her dumbass childhood friend, the so-called "Posh Hat."
5. A Man with No Dream. (Nasir Hadid-Salah, Shakir and [the unrelated] Obi Chukwu.) Word count: 2798.
His Shakir stared up at the stars, dreaming of far too insane a goal. Nasir had seen it the last time he’d stolen Shakir’s star-flyer. That anger had been the anger of something a little too real.
Summary: Finally back in university again in his mid-20's, Nasir Hadid-Salah scopes out the man who his elder half-siblings want him to track—the currently world renown Shakir—only to discover this Shakir is the unassuming one he'd met and bothered too often back when they'd both been 19. Not only that, but Shakir's best friend Obi recognizes something scary about Nasir.
6. the static moment, the static sound. (Leila Hadid-Salah and Luna Adebayo.) Word count: 1401.
Leila’s muted expression actually gained feeling to it; a lazy smile spread across that scar-marked face.
“Oh, I don’t know about that, Captain,” she said.
Summary: With seers of many systems fearing a foreboding future for the Ranna System, Luna and Leila must seek out a future whether together or alone.
Leila Hadid-Salah is insistent on staying, and yet Luna Adebayo with her plans unraveling is left to wonder where Leila will truly go.
7. Much Ado about a Man Like You. (Diego Garza and Fernando Chandrani-Rivera.) Word count: 2024.
When Diego had dreamt him up for the first time in a while—a while since the nightmares splattered with blood, so often featuring the Chandrani brothers at 18—the Fernando who appeared his age had run to him instead.
Summary: A while after Fernando Chandrani-Rivera's death in the real world, Diego dreams up the Fernando he adores again and again. Fernando speaks of strange things, and Diego fears the machinations of the otherworld when he sleeps.
8. faltu. (Konna Yesmin, Farrah Chandrani, Antonio, Alejandro.) Word count: 4840. (Meaning of "faltu" - Bangla for "worthless." Has a connotation of dehumanization.)
“I’m nothing like Farrah,” Alejandro protested. “She’s evil. I’m not evil.”
Summary: Konna and Antonio utilize their telepathic connection, try to avoid their ghosts. They utterly fail! Konna spots a girl on the high sea cliffs. Antonio asks Alejandro about the furry comic he draws in his notebooks.
9. our place in the universe. (Layla, Alia, Fernando.) Word count: 2708.
“So you’ll stay an average person forever,” Layla hummed. “Out of fury. I see. I do prefer being around you, Alia Atif.”
Summary: To her own annoyance, Layla Chandrani confuses her cousin Fernando Chandrani-Rivera with his past life—her once-cousin Mina Salah. Then the top fighter within the Queen's Guard she is a part of—Alia Atif-Akinyemi—approaches her. Layla is forced to confront the level of esteem she regards a certain female friend.
10. the worst of friends. (Liliana and Rosa.) Word count: 2312.
“A true woman of the sciences,” Rosalia complimented her like a cad, really. She barely looked her over again then said, “My family was really insistent on me getting along with you, and at first I wondered if it’d be difficult—I’m sorry, but you Caldera always seemed so distant—but now it’s hard for me to imagine not wanting to see you.”
Summary: Pushed into meeting her again by Armando Rivera, Liliana Caldera simps over Alejandro Caldera-Altaha's future mother, Rosalia Altaha.
11. Side A, Side B. Twin A, Twin B. A Song amid Family. (Chandrani-Rivera triplets, Alejandro.) Word count: 2236.
“I wasn’t trying to figure out the song, Raj,” Antonio sighed. “Fernando so obviously wants to reconnect with Pá again, I just thought it’d be a good opportunity—”
Summary: At around 13 years old, two of the Chandrani-Rivera triplets, Antonio and Raj, sit together with Raj's close friend and Antonio's veritable rival, Alejandro Caldera-Altaha. They listen to a song, trying to figure out whether it's sung by their infamous uncle Antonio Herrera-Rivera, or their father, Armando [Herrera-]Rivera.
12. The Story of an Unknown Person. (Keya and Layla.) Word count: 1476.
Despite the True Barrier’s choosiness at Layla’s door, it had let Keya Chandrani in…
That great threat no one would admit to.
Summary: Layla can't stand her cousin Keya, and the door to her room should have understood this. The door to her room always relies on her consent. So why would it allow Keya through? Keya speaks to Layla about Layla's weaknesses. Layla viciously despises Keya's own weaknesses. There's someone important to them that neither can remember.
13. With or Without Wings, it’s True. He May Never Reach Those Two. (Antonio and Alejandro.) Word count: 2554.
“It was a headache figuring out what he meant,” Kiran complained, then swayed Rayan about the way he’d used to when he, Antonio and Rayan had all played together just a year ago. “But he didn’t specify an artifact for me—I just have to find what I dream of finding, really—”
Summary: As Antonio Chandrani-Rivera dresses Alejandro Caldera-Altaha's wounded arm, they speak of who deserves to become Protector of Worlds. When Antonio's old friend Kiran Anand appears, the reality of what Antonio means to people becomes apparent, as well as his inner strength. But Alejandro Caldera-Altaha insists he doesn't need Antonio to become who he wants to be.
14. truest. (Jasmin and Maria.) Word count: 915.
“Would there be trouble if I asked you to marry me?” Jasmin questioned. Of course she asked it in the most every day conversational way as possible.
Summary: Jasmin knows Maria Herrera's bitterness. They discuss their troubles with women, particularly those who will aid in taking down their worst enemy and go toward a better future. The only issue is, well... Who is Maria's worst enemy, really?
15. you and i, who we are. (Ranvir Chandrani and Armando Rivera.) Excerpt from Book 2 of Blue Horizon. [Note: May potentially be moved to Book 3.] Word count: 2286.
Armando still tried to tell him, smiling as much as he could— “I want to love every part of you, darling. Surely you know that.”
Summary: Older Ranvir and Armando relax together at one of the secret hot springs the Chandrani family of Jowar Peaks frequents. Armando discusses finding Ranvir’s changing body type handsome, asks Ranvir’s thoughts on gender, aging and appearances in general. A flirty excerpt from Blue Horizon book 2, which will be a sequel to The Protector and the Annihilation. (Unfortunately has no sex.)
16. what a girl wants. (Konna Yesmin, Maria Herrera, Layla and Farrah Chandrani.) Word count: 1064.
“Maria,” Konna queried, trying to sound as polite as she was able, “How do you pull in a handsome woman? I really don’t get how you do it.”
Summary: Konna and Maria discuss whether a sexy girl like Maria is allowed to murder Konna or not, as well as her crush on Layla, which hasn’t been working out the way she’s hoped. They wind up discussing the rivaling cousins Layla and Farrah Chandrani.
17. heaven-sent. Lili (and Anitha and Antonio). Word count: 710.
“You know your fathers better than I do,” said Lili.
“I’m unsure if that’s true,” Antonio sighed.
Summary: A person with bloodied feet discusses problems going back lifetimes with Liliana Caldera, Alejandro Caldera-Altaha’s alleged aunt.
18. Chandrani Family Funk. (Alia Atif-Akinyemi and Layla Chandrani.) Word count: 1060.
“I really don’t see it, what you two do,” Hazal commented. “Layla Chandrani’s totally shy.”
“She’s not,” Alia scoffed, and flexed her hand too, feeling much too bothered.
Summary: Alia and several other friends within the Queen’s Guard note how Layla and Antonio are about to go and try to die on a high-level adventure! People become upset. Not Alia or anything.
19. mask on, mask off. (Alia Atif-Akinyemi, Khalida Ahmad, Layla Chandrani.) Word count: 1096.
“The Protector’s class is worse theater than the theater department,” Alia groused.
“Mainly because of Antonio,“ said Layla, thoughtfully.
“No, it’s because of you, Layla!“ Alia finally whirled around toward her.
Summary: After the best of the Queen’s Guard—Alia, Khalida and Layla—get pulled into a theatrical production by the theater department in their academy, they wind up discussing their family troubles while flexing their hotness. Alia does Layla a solid.
20. fits like a glove. (Antonio Chandrani-Rivera and Alejandro Caldera-Altaha.) Word count: 1250.
Alejandro stuttered, “You… You know how I am about dinosaurs. How can I become what I hate? What a maddening thought.”
Summary: Antonio Chandrani-Rivera and Alejandro Caldera-Altaha reflect on their pasts together as they scheme over what sort of costumes to wear for the All Spirits’ Dance that the Herrera family hosts, the Herrera family that Antonio is directly related to.
21. staying around. (Khaleel Atif-Akinyemi and Leo Abara.) Word count: 1164.
“I’ve been wondering,” said Khaleel. “Shouldn’t you invite me into your room sometimes? I’m starting to feel bad, thinking I might be trespassing.”
Summary: Khaleel worries over what Leo thinks of him. The subtle moves Leo makes around him filter in through his Red, but…
22. the loving depths. (Khaleel Atif-Akinyemi and Leo Abara + Main 6.) Word count: 1250.
Khaleel furrowed his brows. “I can tell with you, Leo. Since we are childhood friends. Don’t force yourself into facing everything.”
Summary: Although a majority of the public upon Imion are unaware, Khaleel Atif-Akinyemi has a subtle power and influence amid his friend group that is rising in fame. As his sister Alia bickers with said friends, he worries over his closest, Leo Abara.
23. when all the world’s a stage. (Mario Herrera, Bruno Garza, Antonio Chandrani-Rivera.) Word count: 1052.
“I see that I can hardly live up to my own cousin’s handsomeness.” Antonio, the cad, replied.
Summary: Trans man Mario Herrera thinks his trans man boyfriend Bruno Garza is too adoring of him. As he sticks with cousin Antonio Chandrani-Rivera, the trouble between the Herrera and Garza families become apparent, and yet Antonio, with family amid the Herreras, seems quite glad Mario has Bruno around him.
24. a memory of your siblings and their loves FOR THE SLEEPING LORD, SALMAN KHAN-SALAH. (Layla Chandrani and Alia Akinyemi, Antonio Chandrani.) Word count: 1566.
Antonio stared at her only a while longer. He said, looking down at the cave formations around them, “It’s a private affair. How my magic is connected to my dad.”
Summary: The time mage Jafar records certain scenarios involving the once-siblings and current cousins Antonio and Layla Chandrani, who discuss what makes them family. Antonio side-eyes Layla’s relationship with a certain woman. In this manner Jafar ascertains that the Sleeping Lord that the time mages focus on, Salman Khan-Salah, can keep track of Nasir and Leila Hadid-Salah.
25. good trouble. (Layla Chandrani and Khalida Ahmad.) Word count: 1031.
“It’s true that I’ve been worried,” said Layla, her head tilting as the silver thread on her eyepatch pulsed. “I don’t want a friend of mine to get caught up in trouble I can’t handle. Let alone Alia. Even though you’re quite strong.”
Summary: Despite many people passing Layla Chandrani off as a sapphic cad and overall incoming powerhouse amid the Chandrani family only, Khalida continues to discover that Layla is just as subtly conniving as the rest of her cousins when it comes to tracking their riotous world theater.
26. eyes worldwide. (Mitsuki Sato-Ávila and Soyeon Rah.) Word count: 1200.
“How do you know my thoughts so well without being a Red?” Soyeon paused her movements, tilting her head toward her.
“Childhood friendship,” she told the person who already knew.
Summary: Mitsuki and Soyeon sit around outside on the verandah of Mitsuki’s Obaasan’s house in the Northern Valerias, discussing their friend Priya Kaur and particularly the eerier elder sister of hers, Anitha Kaur, who seems to be scheming with her boyfriend, a well-known man among the Ancients. Mitsuki is disturbed by a Purple Emperor butterfly and its false eyes portending something about their future.
27. within the waters, like the stars. (Layla, Alia, Khalida, Konna.) Word count: ~4000.
In her dreams, the blood from her feet led to different women. It led to Nasir, too, in his life as Antonio Chandrani-Rivera. It always did.
Summary: Layla Chandrani's horrible cousin Antonio Chandrani-Rivera, the boy who was her once-brother Nasir Hadid-Salah, he points it out. That fear she has regarding her relationships with several girls, those girls who are her best friends of sorts. Alia, Khalida, Konna, Farrah, Maria, Jasmin. Her relationship with someone in particular bothers her. That person is…
28. undone. (Leo, Khaleel, Antonio, Alejandro.) Word count: ~3000.
Khaleel didn’t seem to mind when Leo placed his arm around his shoulder. He did it often.
[...]
Alejandro’s brain seemed to short-circuit, as his low-lit red gaze became quite blank.
Antonio turned back and argued, “It’s not about that! Like you said, I’m a handsome man. I’ll be showing it off.”
“You are handsome,” Leo agreed.
Summary: Leo relaxes with Khaleel at a Hanami picnic in the Northern Valerias, of all places on the planet Imion. He, Khaleel, Alejandro and Antonio get caught up in discussions involving life and love. Leo doesn’t really want to think about it, who it is among his friends he wants to spend a bit of alone time with.
29. An Adventure into a Mysterious City! Together with…the Children. Romance! Fear! Fighting! Focus. (Alia, Layla, Alejandro, Antonio.) Word count: ~7000.
Alejandro’s glance at Alia wound up a bit too tart.
“Well…” he murmured, “I assumed she was bored, honestly, but I see what’s going on now. I think she knew Layla might be getting herself into trouble with you.”
“Was she really that overprotective?” Antonio snickered.
Summary: Layla, Antonio and Alia get dragged into an adventure in a famous city after Alejandro asks his mentor Kiyotaka Miura to tag along. Alia and Alejandro discuss the pressures of growing up, of how their friends, acquaintances and guardians want marriage, and Alejandro asks too personal a question, which somehow leads him to cajole Antonio into trying to flirt with him. Alia won’t stop trying to learn Layla’s hobbies and habits, which Layla can’t imagine anyone giving a shit about. There are also monsters! A day in the life of Layla and Antonio and crew.