Author's note
First of all, I would like to thank you for selecting this book.
I am sure that you will remain hooked to this book and will be thoroughly entertained while traversing its twists and turns.
Before we begin, I would like to outline a few things about this book.
This is a very fast-paced book. Once this story establishes its premises and gathers pace, you will find incredible twists at every turn, right till the very end.
The first few chapters will introduce you to the main characters of this book. Their stories will go on simultaneously (one chapter for each character) until they reach their respective conclusions and pave way for the main climax.
Please pay attention to the dates mentioned at the beginning of every chapter. They are important, as these stories are taking place in different eras.
Some readers felt that there was little too much info in the initial chapters. As I have already mentioned that this is a fast-paced book, so laying down strong foundations was very essential. Details about the characters and the two worlds had to be provided in the beginning. Even these details create interesting premises and will surely keep you fixated.
Once you keep reading, all the concepts will become crystal clear. (I have tried to make sure that there are no loose ends. If someone can point out any plot loopholes, I would be very pleased to rectify any such mistake) Even the smallest of details provided in the beginning will play their part towards the end.
Believe me, this is going to be great fun, so read this story right till the end.
Please leave your valuable insights in the comments section and do vote for this story.
Thanks for your love and now let us begin the show
****
Chapter One
The Leap into the Unknown.
When events around you go haywire, when everything stops making sense, take a leap into the Unknown
Elisium
1st Azair Year 4L 21/15 (4th Loop, 21st Cycle, 15th Year.)
"You must leap."
A voice whispered to him. Solomon wasn't sure whether the voice was coming from the locket or from within himself. He was standing on the long wooden bridge known as the Bridge of Faith. No one knew why this bridge was built precisely above the spot where the giant whirlpool mysteriously appeared every seventh year. He stared at the massive swirl, which the people of his world referred to as the Abyss of Unknown. Even in the middle of such a precarious situation, he couldn't stop his mind from harking back on the events of the last few days. He desperately tried to understand how his circumstances had changed in such a drastic way. From being busy in the preparations for the grand ceremony to celebrate his fourteenth birthday to reaching a stage where he was now running to save himself from his palace guards.
He remembered how his father, King Isaac the Enlightened, had hinted about this upheaval during a casual dinner chat.
"Since the last few weeks, you look a little worried father." Solomon had noticed that lately, Isaac looked very disturbed. Although his father never discussed political matters with him, Solomon thought he should at least ask him about what was bothering him so much. "Is there any problem?"
Isaac gave a wry smile. "To be honest, I must admit things haven't been going too smoothly for me since the last few years. However, this all has reached a crescendo in recent months".
"But what is the issue?" asked Solomon.
"This society in our world is built on the foundations of righteousness and justice. All the people who reside in these lands are honest, truthful, moralistic souls. They don't know the notions of treachery, corruption, hatred, or greed. However, in the last few years, a shadow of darkness has started to grow within our ranks."
"What do you mean by this shadow of darkness?" Solomon started to feel a little uneasy.
"Darkness of the soul, my child. Some of our cousins, have tasted the fruit of greed and have started to exploit the unknowing masses for their gains. Many other influential nobles, lured by the glitter of worldly wealth, have joined hands with them. With every passing day, the shadows of gloom keep expanding. I believe the sun is about to set on the glories of this world."
"Why don't you stop them?" Solomon, a young man who knew little about the vagaries of running a kingdom, asked his father. "You are the king after all. You have the power."
Isaac smiled at his son's innocence. He was still so naïve. So pure. But he would have to learn fast because time was not on their side. "The fruit of rapacity tastes very sweet in the beginning, although it has a horrible aftertaste," Isaac remarked. "And once people get addicted to greed, it is very difficult for them to abstain from it. All these gluttonous people in our world, they don't heed to my warnings anymore."
"Then you must punish them," suggested Solomon. "Imprison them, or banish them from the capital."
"There is no punishment until proven guilty, and there are no complaints against them. Some of the commoners don't even understand that they are being cheated. And those who know about their felony are too afraid to speak up."
"But you are the king," Solomon argued. "If you know someone is doing wrong you must punish him,"
"The rules of our land don't allow this," Isaac replied with an audible sigh. "We are in the twenty-first cycle and heading towards the end of the fourth loop. You must understand that things are bound to change at the end of every loop to kickstart a fresh chain of events."
At that moment Isaac realized, that this might be the perfect time to pass on the legacy. He may not get another opportunity. Isaac rose from his chair, removed a chain from his neck, and put it around Solomon. The heavy golden chain was attached to an exquisite locket. The locket was made of glistening gold with a large flawless pink ruby at its center and twenty sparkling diamonds studded around it. When it touched Solomon's skin, he felt a sudden surge of energy pass through his body. The Amulet had instantly forged a connection with its master, Solomon, the next Transitioner.
"Remember son, " Isaac said looking into Solomon's eyes "whatever happens, protect this Amulet from falling into wrong hands. When events around you go haywire, when everything stops making sense, leap into the Unknown. It may well be your passage into another world of opportunity."
Solomon couldn't understand what his father was trying to tell him. But before he could ask any further questions, one of the palace guards announced the arrival of the four ministers who were supposed to join them at the dinner table. The conversation was left incomplete, and they never got a chance to resume it.
For the next few days, King Isaac was kept busy and had no time to meet his family. The preparations for the festivities of Solomon's fourteenth birthday, the day he would become an adult and be officially appointed as the crown prince, went on just as planned. But these celebrations were about to take place under a cloud of dissent. There were murmurs that some nobles were not happy with the high-handed rule of the King. They wanted more authority for themselves. They felt that Isaac was too harsh on his ministers and very much inclined towards the commoners.
The days of adversity were near and this time they were going to bring in a storm the kind of which had never been witnessed before.
Finally, the first day of adversity arrived, accompanied by its regular acquaintances. Extremely poor weather, mild earthquakes, severe thunderstorms, and the giant whirlpool. Despite the harsh weather, the preparations for the grand ceremony about to take place in the evening were going on in full tilt.
Solomon was extremely excited on the morning of what was supposed to be the most memorable day of his life. His mother, Queen Sylvia, had pulled him out of his bed with an affectionate peck on his forehead. "Since you have become an adult, and are soon going to become the crown prince, I must start getting used to showing some respect for the future king," she had said with a beaming smile. "Now wake up my dear little king, you have to take your breakfast and then do a few rehearsals for that grand ceremony in the evening. People won't like their future king goofing up in his very first public appearance."
Solomon lazily got up from his bed, dressed up, and joined his mother at the breakfast table. He had barely started to eat when Queen Sylvia's hand-maiden came rushing towards her. She just stood there, shivering in fear, not knowing how to break the news to her queen. Sylvia sensed her conundrum. "Julia, what happened? Just speak out and don't be afraid."
Julia finally spoke in a quivering voice "My queen, what you had been fearing for so long has just happened. King Isaac has been assassinated by his guards. Presumably on the orders of his cousin Jonathan."
Sylvia hung back her head and closed her eyes. "Bloodshed in these pious lands. Even the filthiest criminals here are not condemned to death, and these demons have killed their righteous king." Tears started to roll down her cheeks.
"My queen, you don't have time. They are coming for you and the prince. Your palace guards have let them in. You can trust no one. Please run. Save yourself and your son."
Sylvia quickly turned to Solomon. "You know the secret passage out of the palace. Take that passage. It will lead you to the shores of the river Vinum."
"What does that even mean?" asked Solomon. "What in God's name are you up to? Why aren't you coming with me?"
"I must take care of a few things before they get here," Sylvia replied
"I am not leaving you alone," Solomon retorted, "I only leave if you leave with me."
Sylvia grabbed her son by his shoulders and shook him hard. "Listen to me. This is not just about you and me. This is something much bigger. You must save yourself because the future of not one, but two worlds depends on your survival. You must survive for the line of kings to go on. You will understand all this when the time comes, but for now, I beg you by the virtue of your martyred father, to please leave."
Solomon was extremely baffled, but he understood there was no time for arguing. He gave in to his mother's pleading. As Solomon rushed across the hallway Sylvia called her son for the last time. "My son, remember your father's advice. When events around you go haywire when everything stops making sense, leap into the Unknown."
Solomon reached his father's chamber and opened the secret door. He ran into the passage behind the door which led to a tunnel. He kept running inside the long tunnel until he emerged at the other end.
The tunnel had brought him to the shores of river Vinum. He moved a little away from the exit and sat down under a tree to gather his breath. Minutes later, he saw some of his guards emerge from the same exit. They had presumably followed him there.
Solomon ran for his life. The guards, who were sworn to protect him, were now pursuing him to finish him off. Everything had become topsy-turvy. Nothing was making sense. He sprinted on the bridge of faith, with the Abyss of Unknown, swirling below him.
While running on the long bridge, his eyes fell on a few soldiers who had appeared at the far end. He was surrounded from both sides. There was no place to go. Solomon stopped in his tracks to contemplate what to do next. For a brief moment, he got lost in the past.
"This isn't a time for flashbacks," that mysterious voice pulled him out of his trance, "You must leap."
Solomon looked at the Abyss of Unknown, and his father's last words echoed in his mind. "When events around you go haywire when everything stops making sense, leap into the Unknown."
He tightly clutched the amulet, the parting gift from his father, and climbed the railings of the bridge.
He wasn't sure if this was what his father meant, but he could sense that this was the right choice.
With a heavy heart and a mind filled with uncertainties, Solomon leaped into the Unknown.
A leap that triggered the next Transition.
A leap that changed the fortunes of two societies in two identical, yet different, worlds.